Selen Zorlu Melik, Member of Zorlu Holding Board of Directors and Chairman of the Gender Equality Committee:
“With the pandemic, we are all having difficulties both in our daily life and in business life; however, women all over the world are affected by this process in a much more radical way, economically, socially and culturally. However, equality is in our nature. It is the most normal part of our nature to gain strength from each other, to struggle together and to work together for the struggle for existence. We can only build a more livable, equitable and good future for all when we share the responsibility equally. With this awareness, we, as Zorlu Group, continue our work in the field of gender equality on the way we started out by saying “Equal Life is Possible for All”. During this period, we published our Equal Life Manifesto, launched the Equal Bi’Life Dictionary as open source, and published the Domestic Violence Prevention Policy. The balance, integrity and harmony in nature; believes that a more Equal Life is possible for all of us if we can preserve its reflection in all areas of life; We work with that belief.”
Zorlu Holding continues to strengthen women’s participation in economic, social and cultural life with its gender equality practices, which it has implemented as part of its Smart Life 2030 sustainability strategy, saying “Equal Life is Possible”.
A major transformation is taking place within the group, with a working group of approximately 100 volunteers from various sectors of the group and gender equality studies managed together with the committee. At Zorlu Group, with its nearly 33,000 employees in five main sectors, activities in the field of gender equality; discourse on the axis of diversity and inclusion is handled with a strategic road map under the headings of business environment and collaborations.
Research clearly reveals that violence against women and girls has increased during the pandemic.
Zorlu Holding Board Member Selen Zorlu Melik, giving a message on the occasion of March 8 International Women’s Day, pointed out that the conditions for women are more challenging during the pandemic period, and emphasized that equality should be in all areas of life and that this is actually in our nature. Selen Zorlu Melik stated that Zorlu Holding continues its activities focused on gender equality, where the need has become more evident in the pandemic conditions, and continued his words: “During the pandemic period, inequalities have increased dramatically and, unfortunately, negative developments, especially in gender equality and violence, are more frequent and harsher. We saw how it happened. In the TUSIAD study, which examines the effects of the Covid-19 crisis on businesses, 34 of the companies that observed that their employees had difficulties in the work-life balance due to the Covid-19 crisis stated that women were more negatively affected. Again, in this process, the report titled “Ending the COVID-19 Violence Against Women” published by the United Nations Women’s Unit clearly reveals that violence against women and girls has increased during the pandemic period. During the pandemic process, the demand for help by women and girls regarding the violence they have suffered has increased by 25 to 33 percent in France, Australia, Argentina and Singapore. The increase in Turkey was reported as 27.8 percent. We have to put a stop to this together. For this, we must act collectively. In a process where psychological and social conditions become more difficult; We should all stand by each other with the same sensitivity.”
As Zorlu Holding, with the belief in the power and synergy created by inclusivity and diversity in institutions; Expressing that they are working to ensure that women are more involved in equality of opportunity in the business world and in all areas of life, Selen Zorlu Melik continued as follows: “Women who have experienced the consequences of inequalities with the pandemic in a more devastating way are affected much more negatively in this process. However, ‘equality is in our nature’, it is in our nature to gain strength from each other, to struggle together and to work together for the struggle for existence. We can only bear the burden of the difficulties we have experienced in the pandemic, and many similar difficulties, together; We can build when we offer joint and equitable solutions to problems. When we, as Zorlu Holding, set out with this awareness, saying ‘An Equal Life is Possible for All’, despite the consequences of the inequalities we experience on the road, even more visible in the pandemic; We continued our work on gender equality without interruption. With this understanding, in line with our Equal Bi’Life Manifesto, we are building a business culture that aims to act by considering equal opportunity in every field, including discourse, business environment and cooperation with stakeholders. We increase corporate awareness on this issue with many practices, from mentoring programs to workshops and trainings. Again, with the Equal Bi’Life Dictionary, which we have implemented during the pandemic period, which is open to everyone’s use, we are working to avoid sexist discourses and to raise awareness on this issue in our daily life and in our communication activities as a group. We, as Zorlu Holding, are against all forms of violence and discrimination. With this understanding, we published the ‘Domestic Violence Prevention Policy’ some time ago. In line with this policy, we have established support and assistance mechanisms where our colleagues and their children who are exposed to violence can share their situation in confidence and confidentiality. We work with all our strength to strengthen women in business and social life by developing our collaborations with different institutions on gender equality. I wish; We will build an equal life with increasing awareness, practices implemented, and increasing collective awareness and cooperation in this regard. We say ‘Equality is in our nature’ and we act with the belief that ‘Equal Life is possible’ for all of us if we carry this balance in nature to our systems and protect it in our daily lives.”
Source: (BHA) – Beyaz News Agency
