Alternatif Bank contributed to raising awareness for gender equality, women’s leadership, and representation of women in business life with events spread across March as part of International Women’s Day, March 8. The series of events, designed with the approach “More Equal Together,” formed a multidimensional platform for dialogue in terms of equality by bringing together different perspectives.

Masculinity Norms and Inequality Data Were Discussed in “Barbershop Conversations”

“Barbershop Conversations”, organized in cooperation with Yanındayız Association within the scope of the program, was a noteworthy meeting that approached gender equality from the male perspective. BK Partnership CEO Burhan Karaçam, Esas Gayrimenkul CEO Cem Eriç, and Alternatif Bank Restructuring and Legal Follow-Up EVP Seçkin Mutlubaş participated in the conversation held in a barbershop set-up where masculinity norms were represented symbolically. Gender equality was addressed during the conversation through masculinity patterns, invisible obstacles in business life, and biases ingrained in daily language.

The data shared in the conversation strikingly demonstrated the extent of inequality. It was emphasized that women’s labor force participation rate was half the rate of men, while representation of women declined significantly in senior management levels. Besides, examples were provided to how invisible obstacles, described as “glass ceiling” in business life, shaped the career paths of women. The participants highlighted the role to be assumed by men for equality, and pointed out the need for transformation in many areas from the use of language to daily behavior.

Private Conversations Hosted Apple Türkiye Country Manager Resan Yüner 

In another meeting of the series of events, Apple Türkiye country Manager Resan Yüner was hosted under the moderation of Alternatif Bank CEO Ozan Kırmızı. During the meeting, held under the title “Private Conversations”, Yüner’s career path and leadership experience, extending from banking to technology sector, was shared with the participants.

Yüner mentioned the challenges brought along by working in male-dominant surroundings in the early stages of her career and underlined that women had to be more demanding and bolder in business life. Yüner pointed out the importance of mutual support between women leaders, and emphasized that inclusion and psychological security were among the fundamental elements of strong corporate cultures.

A to Z of Women’s Health Was Discussed

Alternatif Bank also focused on women’s health rather than restricting awareness efforts to business life alone. During the “A to Z of Women’s Health” webinar organized in cooperation with Acıbadem Hospital, Dr. Ecem Eren addressed the health issues, which may be encountered by women throughout their life cycle, from an expert’s perspective.

“We will continue to reinforce a more equal and inclusive corporate culture.”

Alternatif Bank Human Resources EVP Bike Tarakcı made the following remarks about the series of events: “As Alternatif Bank, we consider equality, diversity, and inclusion as an integral part of our corporate culture. We care about creating a work environment where everyone feels valuable, is able to realize their potential, and reach equal opportunities regardless of gender, age, experience, or different perspectives. In our opinion, an inclusive corporate culture to be possible not only through correct policies, but also with an approach where employees are heard, differences are considered as richness, and everyone can express themselves freely. We consider this series of events, where we met our employees as part of International Women’s Day, March 8, as a strong reflection of this approach. These meetings, which address gender equality from different aspects, emphasizing representation and wellbeing of women in business life, not only raised awareness within our institution, but also created a common dialogue space for a more inclusive and more equal future. In the upcoming period, we will continue implementing efforts that create awareness in the field of diversity and inclusion, and strengthening a more equal and inclusive corporate culture.”

Women of Alternatif Bank Voiced the Equality Message in a Special Video

In addition to events held as part of the International Women’s Day, Alternatif Bank also carried out a special video project that made the role, contribution, and power of women within the institution visible. The video, created with voices of bank employees, was shaped around values such as boldness, labor, decision-making, and solidarity, emphasizing the multidimensional role of women in business life. 

The video emphasized with statements such as “I’m a leader”, “I’m a banker”, “I’m a mother”, and “I’m a teammate” that women held multiple qualifications; and manifested with a powerful depiction that women played active roles in all critical functions from strategy development to digital transformation, from risk management to sales.  The video, where female employee rates of Alternatif Bank were also provided, indicated that 52% of employees and 57% of sales teams were women; while representation rate of women was %33 in management and 44% in the executive board. The video ended with the quote “Everything we see in the world is the work of women” by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk.