On March 8th, we came together for equality: We organized an ‘Awareness Workshop’ in collaboration with SistersLab.
As Hyundai Motor Turkey, we held an inspiring and educational awareness workshop for our employees in collaboration with SistersLab – Women in Science and Technology Association – as part of International Women's Day on March 8th. The workshop, shaped by the insights of Gender Equality Specialist Hilal Gençay, became an enjoyable and thought-provoking event with its interactive structure, encouraging active participation from our employees.
Hilal Gençay emphasized how gender equality is visible even in the smallest details of life, saying, “In a world filled with femicides, violence, and conflicts, we can think about ‘what can we do?’ We can change the details; these small details can change so much.”
Equal opportunities despite equal rights
The data shared in the workshop highlighted how deep inequality still is:
• The rate of women owning property worldwide is only 15-20 percent.
• Although women have the same rights as men in terms of human rights, they do not have equal opportunities to access these rights.
Social Roles and Invisible Patterns in the Workplace
The event also included important observations on how social roles are shaped during childhood and how this is reflected in professional life.
• Girls are more often praised for their appearance,
• Boys are more often praised for their strength,
which directly affects their behavioral patterns and self-confidence in adulthood.
In the workplace, it was pointed out that women often experience a "double dilemma" in leadership roles.
When female leaders maintain a distance, they are labeled as "angry," while when they adopt a softer management style, they are labeled as having "weak leadership qualities."
Male employees, on the other hand, are often given a credit of trust from the outset.
The True Meaning of March 8th
One of the important issues emphasized at the event was the correct definition of March 8th.
March 8th is not International Working Women's Day. Hilal Gençay, reminding participants of the importance of invisible labor, emphasized the significance of March 8th by saying, “Who can decide which woman is a worker? March 8th is a day that makes the struggle for equality of all women visible.”
Key concepts highlighted in the workshop:
• Mansplaining:
Male explanations; silencing women without regard to expertise or knowledge level.
• Hepeating:
A woman's statement is disregarded, while the same statement is valued when repeated by a man.
• Broappreciate:
Men only highlighting the achievements of their male counterparts.
• Positive Masculinity:
Reinterpreting masculine roles in a way that supports an egalitarian society.
Notable data highlighted in the workshop:
• 54% – The percentage of women among university students
• 3 Times – The ratio of female unemployment to male unemployment
This meaningful event strengthens our commitment to equality and inclusion as Hyundai Motor Turkey; We will continue to support such meetings that raise awareness among our colleagues.
If you would like to be part of a team that values equality, diversity, and collaborative growth, you can explore career opportunities at Hyundai Motor Turkey.