The transformation journey of the manufacturing industry for an equitable future continues with capacity building trainings

December 13, 2024
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Women change agents and company representatives who participate in inclusive and equitable capacity building trainings become key actors of both gender equality and green and digital transformation in the manufacturing industry.

Efforts to increase the representation of qualified women in the manufacturing industry in line with green and digital transformation continue with inclusive and gender equality-oriented capacity building trainings. As part of the Developing Women Empowerment Models in the Manufacturing Industry project, comprehensive trainings were delivered to 200 young women change agents who are equipped with skills on digitalization and green transformation, and for mentors who will support these women throughout their careers. In addition, training program on “Leading Companies for Inclusive and Equitable Transformation” strengthen the equitable and inclusive perspectives of both companies in the manufacturing industry and professionals in decision-making positions in recruitment processes. 

Developing Women Empowerment Models in the Manufacturing Industry is a joint initiative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Turkish Confederation of Employer Associations (TİSK), and the Ministry of Industry and Technology, funded by the European Union aims to accelerate digital and green transformations in industry and increasing the representation of women in the male-dominated manufacturing sector in Türkiye. 

 

Customized Trainings for Change Agents and Mentors 

A total of six online sessions for change agents and mentors were organized between 22-29 July 2024 as part of the “Inclusive and Gender Equality-Focused Approach in Knowledge and Experience Sharing” training program developed under the project.  The trainings emphasized the role of women's empowerment in development, the importance of gender equality in business life, how gender-based divisions of labor increase inequalities in workplaces. Participants were encouraged to see solidarity and cooperation as essential pathways to achieving equality. Practical information and best practices on incorporating gender-sensitive approaches into business processes were also shared. After completing the training program and enhancing their individual and professional capacities, the participants are one step closer to become actors of long-term, gender-sensitive changes in the manufacturing sector.

 

Workshop on Common Understanding for Gender Equality 

In addition to the training activities, “Common Understanding for Gender Equality” workshop approaching women's labor use in industry from the perspective of empowerment and gender equality was organized. Held on October 2, 2024 for project implementation partners, the workshop was facilitated by Gökçe Bayrakçeken Tüzel, Senior Advisor on Gender Equality at UNDP Türkiye. The workshop aimed to develop a common understanding with stakeholders by focusing on UNDP's priorities on gender equality and women's empowerment and the international framework.

 

Companies Become Sensitive to Gender Equality

In order to promote inclusive and equitable working relations in the manufacturing industry, an information meeting on 'Pioneering Companies for Inclusive and Equitable Transformation was organized for the companies involved in the project. The online meeting held on November 22, 2024, was attended by company managers as well as officials actively working in the fields of human resources and personnel management. The meeting focused on women's employment in the manufacturing industry, the benefits of approaches that support gender equality in the workplace environment for companies and employees, and the responsibilities of companies to ensure gender equality. The meting, which aims to strengthen the capacity and equitable perspective of the private sector in digital and green transformation with a focus on gender equality, continued in the first week of December with a series of three online training sessions. The trainings, which addressed the processes that cause the current inequality in the manufacturing industry, continued with situation analysis, problem identification and recommendations for solutions. The tools and mechanisms of inclusive and equitable transformation within the framework of global and national norms were shared with companies through best practice cases.