Gender Equality in Turkish ICT Sector: A Feminist Technoscience Perspective

Year 2023, , 505 - 521, 19.10.2023

Zelal Özdemır

https://doi.org/10.53376/ap.2023.19

Abstract

This study, conducted within the framework of the EQUALS-EU project funded by the UFUK 2020 Program, aims to understand and explore the gender-based challenges faced by women working in the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector and how they experience gender inequality in the industry. Despite high salaries, prestige, access to the latest technology, and international career opportunities, gender bias, limited career development, and work-life balance continue to pose obstacles for women. Furthermore, gender imbalance in the sector is reinforced by a male-dominated corporate culture, leading to unfair treatment, poor decision-making practices, and negative workplace environments. Although there is a technical skills shortage in Turkey's ICT sector, many studies have shown potential for women to find opportunities in the sector. The shortage of skilled labor puts employers in a paradoxical “techno-patriarchal bargaining” position, even though employers' concerns about factors such as maternity leave costs, marriage compensation, or social norms may make them hesitant to employ women.

Keywords

Technology, ICT, Gender Equality, Techriarchal Bargain, Türkiye

Ethical Statement

Bu araştırma için Orta Doğu Teknik Üniversitesi, İnsan Araştırmaları Etik Kurulu’ndan 23 Haziran 2021 tarihinde ve 293-ODTU-2021 protokol numarası ile etik kurul izni alınmıştır.

Türkiye’de Bilgi İletişim Teknolojileri Sektöründe Toplumsal Cinsiyet Eşitliği: Bir Feminist Teknobilim Perspektifi

Abstract

UFUK 2020 Programı tarafından finanse edilen EQUALS-EU projesi çerçevesinde yürütülen bu çalışma, Bilgi ve İletişim Teknolojileri (BİT) sektöründe çalışan kadınların karşılaştıkları toplumsal cinsiyete dayalı zorlukları ve sektördeki toplumsal cinsiyet eşitsizliğini nasıl yaşadıklarını anlamayı ve araştırmayı amaçlamaktadır. Yüksek maaşlar, prestij, en son teknolojiye erişim ve uluslararası kariyer fırsatlarına rağmen, toplumsal cinsiyet önyargısı, sınırlı kariyer gelişimi ve iş-yaşam dengesi kadınlar için engel teşkil etmeye devam etmektedir. Ayrıca, sektördeki dengesizlik erkek egemen bir şirket kültürü tarafından pekiştirilmekte, bu da haksız muameleye, eşitsiz karar alma uygulamalarına ve olumsuz işyeri ortamlarına yol açmaktadır. Doğum izni maliyetleri, evlilik tazminatı veya sosyal normlar gibi faktörlere ilişkin kaygılar işverenlerin kadınları istihdam etmekte tereddüt etmelerine neden olsa da vasıflı işgücü eksikliği işverenleri paradoksal bir “teknoerkil pazarlık” konumuna sokmaktadır. Diğer bir deyişle, sektördeki vasıflı işgücü eksikliği toplumsal cinsiyet temelli kalıp yargıların varlığına rağmen kadınların BİT sektöründe istihdamını kolaylaştırmaktadır.

Keywords

Teknoloji, BİT Sektörü, Toplumsal Cinsiyet Eşitliği, Teknoerkil Pazarlık, Türkiye

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