“At Turkish Philanthropy Funds, we envision a world where every woman has the opportunity to achieve her full potential.”

By Şenay Ataselim-Yilmaz, PhD

As the executive director of Turkish Philanthropy Funds, I have witnessed firsthand the power of women’s resilience. Every day, I see women challenging biases, breaking barriers, and transforming communities despite obstacles.
However, unconscious bias remains one of the biggest hurdles to gender equality. It operates in the background—shaping decisions in hiring, promotions, investments, and leadership opportunities. It dictates who is heard, who is seen, and who gets a seat at the table.
This International Women’s Month, I want to not only celebrate the progress we have made but also highlight why we must keep pushing forward. The reality is that biases still hold women back—and dismantling them requires conscious action from all of us.

The Reality of Unconscious Bias
Unconscious bias is not just an individual mindset but a systemic issue. Societal norms, cultural conditioning, and generational beliefs shape these biases. They are often unspoken yet deeply entrenched, influencing economic participation, political representation, and leadership.
A staggering 90% of people worldwide—both men and women—hold some form of bias against women, according to the United Nations Development Program (UNDP)’s Gender Social Norms Index. The impact is real:
Women in Leadership: Nearly 50% of the world’s population believes men make better political leaders, and over 40% think men are superior business executives. In Türkiye, only 6% of ministerial roles are held by women, markedly below the 36% Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) average. Women’s representation in parliament is 19.9%, still below the OECD average of 33.8%.
Workplace Bias: More than 40% of people worldwide believe that men deserve jobs more than women during economic downturns. This bias is reflected in Türkiye’s labor market, where women’s labor force participation rate is just 34.5%, compared to 71.8% for men. Societal expectations, caregiving responsibilities, and systemic barriers continue to limit women’s access to equal employment opportunities, reinforcing economic inequality and slowing progress toward gender parity in the workforce.
The Motherhood Penalty: Women with children are frequently seen as less committed to their careers, impacting promotions and salaries. Research shows that the motherhood penalty accounts for nearly 80% of the gender pay gap, with each child under five years old reducing a mother’s earnings by 15%. Working mothers in Türkiye earn approximately 30% less than women without children—one of the highest motherhood wage penalties globally.
Pay Disparity: On average, women worldwide earn 20% less than men. In Türkiye, the gender wage gap stands at 21.1%, meaning women earn significantly less for the same work.
Violence and Bias: While 28% of people globally believe it is acceptable for a man to beat his wife, the reality in Türkiye is just as concerning—around 40% of women have experienced physical or sexual violence at the hands of a partner during their lifetime.
These numbers are not just statistics—they are a wake-up call. We must do better.

Overcoming Bias: Stories of Resilience and Empowerment
We at Turkish Philanthropy Funds (TPF) believe empowering women requires breaking down these profoundly ingrained biases. The stories of the women we support demonstrate how unconscious bias affects real lives—and how resilience, support, and opportunity can overcome these barriers and provide opportunities for women to excel in education, entrepreneurship, and leadership.

Gizem’s Story
Women in science and technology often face the stereotype that these fields are “not for them.” Gizem, a 27-year-old CCTV installation and repair technician, confronted this bias firsthand. Originally studying to become a science teacher, she could not secure a position due to limited teaching jobs. Rather than give up, she took an unconventional path—interning at a computer repair shop, where her quick thinking and technical skills shone.
Despite excelling in her field, she faced skepticism and resistance in a male-dominated industry. However, she defied expectations, opening her own business and mentoring other young women in technology. Her resilience was tested once again when she lost everything in the 2023 earthquakes, including her shop and home. With support from TPF and Mavi Kalem, she rebuilt her business, proving that women belong in STEM and thrive when given the right opportunities.
This is what accelerating action looks like.

Derin’s Journey
In professional sports, unconscious bias often sidelines women, granting them fewer sponsorships, media coverage, and resources than their male counterparts. Derin, a 16-year-old Formula Kite athlete representing Türkiye on the international stage, is challenging these biases head-on.
As a member of the Olympic National Team, she has navigated an industry where women athletes often face doubts about their strength, endurance, and commitment. Yet, she has excelled in sailing competitions, proving that female athletes deserve the same recognition and support as their male peers. With the backing of TPF in collaboration with Akut Sports Club, Derin is now on a path toward even greater success. She is not waiting for equal representation in sports—she is creating it.

Revsen’s Achievement
Education is another arena where unconscious bias limits women’s opportunities. In many societies, girls are discouraged from pursuing advanced education or studying abroad.
Revsen, a young woman from Mardin, faced systemic challenges in accessing world-class education. Despite excelling academically, her family did not allow her to move to Istanbul to study at Robert College. Undeterred, she focused on her studies and taught herself English—a feat that speaks to her determination in a society where girls’ mobility is often restricted.
With a scholarship from TPF in collaboration with PAYDA, Revsen broke barriers and became the first Mardin Science High School student to be accepted into an Ivy League university. Today, she is a distinguished Ivy League graduate working at Berkeley Lab in astrophysics. Her story is a powerful reminder of why access to education and scholarship programs for women are critical in overcoming deep-seated gender biases.
She did not wait for permission—she took action.

How We Can All Challenge Unconscious Bias and #AccelerateAction
Unconscious bias is deeply ingrained, but it is not unbeatable. By actively recognizing and addressing these biases, we can create a world where women have equal opportunities to succeed. This International Women’s Month, I would like to encourage everyone to take tangible steps to challenge gender biases:
◗ Examine your personal biases and commit to unlearning stereotypes.
◗ Support women’s initiatives, mentorship programs, and policies that promote gender equity—not next year, but today.
◗ Advocate for fair hiring practices, equal pay, and leadership opportunities for women at your workplace—make it your priority now.
At Turkish Philanthropy Funds, we remain committed to empowering women and dismantling barriers that hold them back. We envision a world where every woman has the opportunity to achieve her full potential.
This International Women’s Month, let us not just celebrate—let us act. Let us accelerate action. ■