Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey

As a party of March 8^th International Women's Day, the International Women's Day Turkey's Power of Women Entrepreneurs Meeting was held in Van, organized by TOBB, Van Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Van Commodity Exchange and the Van Women Entrepreneurs Council. The event brought together young women entrepreneurs from 81 provinces.

Hisarcıklıoğlu, speaking at the event, said that the city of sun and sea, Van, has become a shining star in Turkey's tourism and that he tries to visit Van every year.

Hisarcıklıoğlu reported that the Gender Equality Index was announced yesterday by the Economic Policy Research Foundation of Turkey (TEPAV), and that gender equality point of Van is showing the fastest recovery, among the highest rating provinces.

Hisarcıklıoğlu expressed respect for Nene Hatun, Halide Edip Adıvar, Halime Sergeant, Şerife Bacı, Nezahat Onbaşı, Sabiha Gökçen and all women who labored for life in a better world stating that they are greatly proud of them.

Stating that, throughout his life, he has worked for the greater inclusion of women and young people in every aspect of society throughout his whole life and TOBB Presidency, Hisarcıklıoğlu said that he stands firm against the view that, ‘women’s place is at home; men should work.’

- “You are our greatest treasure”

Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “I object to male dominated female roles. I say that women must take part in the process of production. Today, the development of each country is based on its human capital. We need our women in Turkey's journey to prosperity.”

Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that they’ve been through much in the last 10 years as TOBB and the TOBB Women Entrepreneurs Board. Established in 2007, it has become the world's largest network of women entrepreneurs today.

Hisarcıklıoğlu said that he believes that the representation women in the chambers and commodity exchanges community of the 3 chamber chairs, 5 council chairs, 31 board members and 193 council members will increase.

Speaking about the support given to women entrepreneurs, Hisarcıklıoğlu emphasized that they will continue to provide support to women in all areas.

Hisarcıklıoğlu mentioned that they are offering a large number of programs such as e-commerce, digitization, coding, project production, touching on their Future Writers Women and Digital Workshop Project programs aimed at women entrepreneurs.

Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu, stating that the economy needs women’s touch, said, “In our culture, there's no such thing as keeping women home in our history, in our culture. Before many western countries, women in Turkey were able to vote and run for election. That is the kind of nation we are the children of.”

Hisarcıklıoğlu, who addressed the women, said: “Tell your children that there is no gender to intelligence, success or economy. Economy can have no gender. Women entrepreneurial board members, explain entrepreneurship to the women in villages and towns who may not be aware of these meetings. Encourage them to become entrepreneurs. I have two requests from those present in this hall: First, raise your girls with the spirit of enterprise; second, do not cheat women out of inheritance.”

Hisarcıklıoğlu called for women to protect their fellow women and not allow women to be confined to certain roles.

- “We are deprived of hundreds of billions of liras”

Van Governor and Mayor Chairman Murat Zorluoğlu emphasized the importance of women integrating into the labor force and attaining good jobs as it pertains to the growing trend of women's employment in recent years in Turkey stating that this is a matter which is of great import for the government as well.

Van Commerce and Industry Chamber (VATSO) Chair Necdet Takva said that women are in every part of life, economy, and society, saying that women are the essential part of the region.

Takva stated that participation gap between men and women in the labor force will deprived of the hundreds of billions of TRY of revenue.

Van Commerce Commodity Exchange Chair Enver Memduhoğlu said that women entrepreneurs should take more part in livestock and agricultural production.

- Van KGK Chair Odabaşı: “Let the sound of our heels be heard in the economy”

Sema Odabaşı, Chair of the Women Entrepreneurs Board of Van, said in her speech that Van is one of the leading provinces in the sense of gender equality efforts, “We are leaving gender division behind. Van is achieving this thanks to women.”

Odabaşı thanked TOBB President Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu, “If it were not for him, there wouldn’t be 81 heels in 81 provinces. There also wouldn’t be the beautiful, kind heart. We owe it to him. If we are together from Edirne to Van; if we are working heartily; we owe it to Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu.”