I want that women are everywhere, because we are courageous, determined and productive.

These words belong to Deniz Işık, the first and only woman car tyre seller in Aydın province. Although she works in a male-dominated sector and her workplace is in an organised industrial zone, which is also one of the male-dominated areas, Deniz is content with her situation.

“When they see a woman tyre seller, they are astonished. But I love to be here," she says.

Deniz Işık, the first woman car tyre seller in Aydın.

Deniz has worked in this sector for 23 years. After working as an accounting manager in a tyre company for 14 years, she started her own business. In addition to male employees, she employed female employees. To do that, she has benefited from the Supporting Registered Women Employment Project (WOMEN-UP), which is co-financed by the European Union (EU) and Türkiye, and carried out by the Social Security Institution (SGK).

The project shares the dreams of women

“Within the scope of the project, approximately 400 women entrepreneurs employed one each woman staff in Aydın. I had a woman staff member; it has become two. Since the staff costs are high, it has been a lifeline support for all of us that the state and the EU took over the staff cost for 20 months,” says Deniz.

Gizem Çakal benefited from WOMEN-UP Project.

Gizem Korkmaz Çakal is one of the women who benefited from the project. She worked for Deniz Işık for ten months. “I heard of this project from my friend. Since having a regular income, insurance, and registration were important, I applied. It was an honour to work with a woman entrepreneur. I felt safe, more comfortable,” she says, adding: “There is nothing women cannot do as long as they want to!”

Although Gizem had to leave her job due to health problems, she is satisfied with this experience.

Deniz, on the other hand, waits for her new woman employee to work together for the remaining ten months within the scope of the project. She intends to continue with this employee after the project ends.

Head of the European Union Delegation to Türkiye, Ambassador Nikolaus Meyer-Landrut emphasises the importance of gender equality in professional life: "For years, the European Union has been supporting women entrepreneurs and employees in Türkiye through various projects. We have had the pleasure of being a partner in many success stories, and now we witness new success stories with WOMEN-UP."

The project goes on in 7 provinces

The WOMEN-UP Project, to which the EU contributes €25 million, aims to increase registered women's employment and women entrepreneurship with the grant support provided for female workers employed by female employers. Implemented in the provinces of Ankara, Istanbul, Samsun, Aydın, Denizli, Şanlıurfa and Kahramanmaraş, the project aims to support 4,000 employed women and 4,000 women entrepreneurs.

Click here for more information.

Photos by Erdem Kırım

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