Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey

TOBB President Hisarciklıoğlu noted that within the scope of My Sister Project, entrepreneurship, digital literacy, communication, financial consciousness and applied basic finance, parent and information security trainings will continue. Noting that it is also the 85^th anniversary of Turkish women gaining the right to vote and be elected, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “In this way, women's position in political and social life had been strengthened and one of the most important steps taken in the name of participatory democracy. Women who produce, women who labors means stronger women and stronger society. For a strong tomorrow, with the strength we get from each other, as men and women, we need to walk together.  I celebrate the World Women's Rights Day of December 5^th and wish a healthy, happy and successful life for all our women who add value to our country with their work and achievements.”

Noting that My Sister Project includes educational content in finance, IT, communication and entrepreneurship developed by ITU, Hisarciklıoğlu said, “Our TOBB Women Entrepreneur Councils have adopted the project as their own their provinces. They encourage women to participate in trainings. HABITAT is hands-on with the project.

They undertook trainings with volunteers all over Turkey. The Atlanta-based Coca-Cola Foundation supported the project financially. I would like to take this opportunity to thank my dear friend Muhtar Kent, chairman of the Board of Directors of The Coca-Cola Company at the beginning of the project. Our project was brought before the Coca-Cola Foundation thanks to Mr. Muhtar.”

Hisarciklıoğlu stated that the My Sister Project is a project that directly contributes to 8 of the United Nations' 17 Sustainable Development Goals, “It aims to reduce both male-female inequality. It aims to increase both women's entrepreneurship and to bring about a better future for children. It also highlights private sector-civil society co-operation for sustainable development. Today we are launching the My Sister Project 2020. We're awarding the winners of the Local Delicacies Contest. My Sister Project has received 11 national and international awards to date for supporting women's entrepreneurship. In 2020, we hope to reach 10,000 women in 40 cities. Within the scope of My Sister Project, entrepreneurship for women, digital literacy, communication, financial consciousness and applied basic finance, parental and information security trainings will be provided.”

- Take ownership of local delicacies with geographic markers

Noting that TOBB and Chamber-Exchange community is taking ownership of the values of provinces, districts and local tastes by registering them as geographically marked products, Hisarciklıoğlu said, “We launched the Local Delicacies Competition both to increase the value of our local delicacies and to support our women's initiatives in Anatolia. In this competition, I also find it meaningful to have the focus in Turkish cuisine. We have one of the richest cuisines in the world. But we have a long way to go to turn this wealth into commercial income, and 12 out of every $100 on average for a tourist going to Greece and Spain goes to the food and beverage industry. In Turkey, this amount is only $6. They’re taking advantage of the opportunity to market their product correctly. We received 114 applications from 29 provinces within the scope of the competition. We evaluated the applications based on the manager's operating skills and future plans.”

TOBB President reported that 11 women entrepreneurs who own restaurants who want to grow their business and have a solid roadmap have been awarded prizes, “I want you to know that we are with you to grow your achievements.”

- TOBB's support for women entrepreneurs

Reminding that they established the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey Women Entrepreneurs Council in 2007, Hisarcıklıoğlu said:

“The aim of our Councils is to increase the number of women entrepreneurs in 81 provinces. Of all entrepreneurs in Turkey, the proportion of women increased from 4% in 2007 to 9% in 2018. I see no need to be humble in this regard. If entrepreneurship in Turkey has begun to be talked about so much, the biggest role in this is TOBB’s Women and Young Entrepreneur Boards.  Approximately 7,000 volunteer female entrepreneurs have mobilized for this purpose in coordination with our Chambers and Commodity Exchanges in their provinces.

The first task of the Councils is to bring successful women entrepreneurs to the forefront as role models. Make other women say, ‘If she did it, I can do it.’ We must oppose established gender roles. The 'woman's place is home' approach is unacceptable. Women should be in every aspect of life. Just like men, women have things to contribute at home and at work. The perspective needs to change, the language used needs to change.”

- Just say ‘word” instead of “man’s word”

“Remember, love begins in language; if the language changes, the world changes. Let's say 'right person' instead of like a man’, 'word' instead of 'man's word'. Let me tell you about a situation that I've encountered a lot in business and that's actually bothering me. In our culture, we have to exemplify a man who has sacrificed his home, his life, and who succeeds, and we appreciate people like that as “Bravo, he worked hard and succeeded.”

But when a woman demonstrates the same work and sacrifice, we don't appreciate it the same way, we criticize them for being over-ambitious.

There's no gender in hard work and success. I'd especially like to tell my women entrepreneur sisters. Close your ears to such criticisms. Today, those who criticize you for ambition will come to you anyway when you succeed. Don't sacrifice your potential to worrying about what people will say. I am happy to present today's awards to the hardworking women entrepreneurs of Anatolia.”

- Other speakers

Zeynep Erkunt Armağan, President of the TOBB Board of Women Entrepreneurs, also emphasized the importance of volunteerism in her speech. Armağan expressed her desire to pass on the things she has learned over the years to the new generations and explained the importance of equality between men and women. Zeynep Erkunt Armağan, who noted that they have opened the way for women, said that creative new ideas are needed moving forward.

Istanbul Technical University (ITU) Rector Prof.Dr. Mehmet Karaca stated that the most entrepreneurial technopark in Turkey is in its universities and that they reached more than 18,000 women in 40 different cities.