Green Collar Women Movement is Rising in Türkiye

Turkish Women in Renewables and Energy Network TWRE with more than 1700 members is the first and biggest gender movement in energy transition of Türkiye.

Network reaches thousands of stakeholders, providing volunteer employment advisory, mentoring, technical and personal development trainees aiming to increase women number in STEM and also management.

“Women never stop!” says founder president Sedef Budak and adds “TWRE is an umbrella platform for all women working in renewables, green and sustainable fields indipendently from the sector they are in. We proved the women existence and impact in the energy sector to start with and we continue to provide equality and inclusion to the industry.”

With support of GIZ, TWRE produced the first scientific women employment report of energy sector regarding Türkiye and getting positive reactions.

According to the data obtained from 31 leading Turkish renewable energy companies compiled with active investors and service providers in all areas of the sector, the conclusion is that the rate of female employment among 907,000 employees is only 15%. The study shows that only 3% of the Turkish Women in Renewable Energy and Energy Sector (TWRE) group are in senior management and decision-making positions.

Dilan Yıldız Copresident of TWRE added; “TWRE is a strong sisterhood among the infrastructure, electric and power sector. We decided to increase our impulse and execute Green Collar Women Association dedicated to people who are working for a sustainable and better future.”

In the short term, the group will continue to grow by collaboration with other networks and sector stakeholders. Increasing women employment and providing quality education for blue and white-collar workers of energy transition.

 In the long term, the group is planning to bring crowd founding to build and operate green energy plants to create a pool for women and children with needs.