The Status and Problems of Women in Working Life in Turkey

The situation of woman in working life is a multidimensional public health issue and should be investigated related with many factors such as economic, social, biological, cultural factors. Women have been working in each step of production through history, but are still evaluated as a disadvantaged group. Nowadays, many new legal arrangements for regulating the working life have been made in Turkey. The participation of women to the labor force is accepted to be an important element of sustainable progress, social development and prosperity of the community, however, women participation ratios in the manpower in Turkey are not yet at desired level. Attentively, evaluation of the problems women encounter in working life indicates that occupational discrimination due to gender inequality is one of the leading problems. The working environment consists of many physical, chemical, biological and psychological factors known to be harmful to the general and reproductive health of women. Recognizing of these factors, which affect the health, is important for developing programs and policies intending to prevent them. Improvement of the working conditions of women and enhancing the employment opportunities are the most important steps for the economic and social prosperity of a country. A woman working happily in good conditions and earning her own money contributes the family budget, also spends most of her income and her spare time on her children, so that it will contribute to more healthy and educated generations. In order to improve of working conditions for women, all the rules and laws should be applied totally, and all concerned sides should carry out their responsibilities completely. Firstly, the working conditions should be offered to women with the least discomfort. Also, they should be supported with continuous occupational education, opportunities for their awareness and self-development should be created. [TAF Prev Med Bull 2014; 13(2.000): 169-176