The Global HR Summit and Exhibition 2024 took place for the fourth time at Raffles Istanbul, focusing on the theme “New World, New Leadership, New Talent.” Moderated by Selen Kocabas, Co-Chair of YenidenBiz Association, the panel featured prominent speakers including Yılmaz Yıldız, CEO of Zurich Insurance Group Turkey and Co-Chair of YenidenBiz, Işıl Kılınç Gürtuna, General Manager and Technology Leader at IBM Turkey, and Murat Yeşildere, Senior Partner at Egon Zehnder.
The panel delved into the evolving landscape of talent in a transforming world, discussing women’s presence in the workforce, the challenges they face, and how they are reshaping business environments. Yılmaz Yıldız highlighted the issue of career interruptions for women post-motherhood, stating, “For women, building a career can be challenging. Their careers may be disrupted by what is termed the ‘Marriage Penalty’ or ‘Motherhood Penalty.’ Globally, a woman’s likelihood of employment declines by approximately 15% in the ten years following motherhood, with the rate rising to approximately 30% in Turkey and 60% in Istanbul. Solutions lie not in undermining family structures or avoiding parenthood, but in establishing strong public and private sector policies that provide women with equal opportunities.”
This discussion underscores the urgent need for effective strategies that address gender disparities in the labor market and promote inclusive leadership in the evolving corporate landscape.
