PLASFED Hosts "Women's Power in Industry" Panel

Plastic Manufacturers held a panel on "The Power of Women in Industry" in the ISO Assembly Hall. Opening remarks were delivered by Ömer Karadeniz, Chairman of the Board of PLASFED (Plastics Manufacturers Federation): "On International Women's Day on 8 March, I wish it to be a better day for all our women and for our future. Women are the most precious beings in our lives, standing by us at every moment, bringing our children into the world, raising them, and never leaving us alone with their love and compassion," he said. Emphasizing the importance of creating female employment in industry as in many other sectors, PLASFED Chairman Ömer Karadeniz stated, "As industrialists, when we look at our companies that work with women in production, we see extremely productive and effective results. The biggest reason for this is that our women create awareness in their workplaces through their determination and dedication to their work. It is an honor for us to host our valuable women who create awareness in business life in our panel on "The Power of Women in Industry." I would like to emphasize that we always believe in the strong women of production who shine with their intelligence, strength and diligence. Looking at recent years, the increase in female employment in industry, which appeared numerically low, is a positive development. In particular, increasing in-service technical training aimed at improving working conditions for women in industry, flexible work arrangements and initiatives to increase awareness of gender equality, which we will discuss shortly, are promising developments for the future," he said.

Our women are reshaping and directing the sector

Ömer Karadeniz, speaking as PLASFED – Plastics Manufacturers Federation, the umbrella organization of the sector, said that research and studies continue to increase female employment in the plastics sector. "Today, in many of the companies within our member associations under our federation, our women are reshaping and directing the sector. We see this not only in our members but also in many institutions that are not our members," he said. The participation of our women in the workforce is vital in terms of the sustainability of economic and social life. Pointing out that in developing and developed societies today, including our country, prosperity can be achieved through women's participation in all areas of life, Ömer Karadeniz said, "The participation of our women in the workforce is vital in terms of the sustainability of economic and social life. In developing and developed societies today, including our country, prosperity can be achieved through women's participation in all areas of life. Today, the economic difficulties and unfair growth that exist globally can only be solved with the contribution of our women to business life. This means that women playing an active role in the business world will bring positive reflections such as economic improvement, innovation, strong management and sustainability," he said. Today, gender equality is one of the cornerstones of economic development. Stating that nations and countries need to take steps to ensure gender equality, PLASFED Chairman Ömer Karadeniz said, "Today, gender equality is one of the cornerstones of economic development. For this, we must first start the change with ourselves. We must get rid of our perceptions and prejudices about the place of women in society and business life as soon as possible. As our great leader Mustafa Kemal Atatürk said, 'If a society is content with only one of its genders obtaining what this century requires, that society is weakened by half. The reason for some of the failures our society has suffered is neglect and fault towards our women,'" he said.

In our country, the participation rate of women in the workforce must increase

ISO Assembly Chairman Zeynep Bodur Okyay began her remarks by noting that there are many issues regarding inequality and problems faced by women. "In our country, women are unable to fully utilize their potential socially and economically. We are conducting serious work on this issue. In our country, the participation rate of women in the workforce must increase. When this rate is considered on a global scale, unfortunately we see that we are weak. In global research conducted, when looking at the role and model of women in the business world, it is seen that companies managed by women have higher profitability rates. This shows us that if the women's potential in our country, which is not sufficiently utilized, were to be realized, much greater opportunities would emerge," she said.