Türkiye’s Women Engineers Drive Digital and Green Transformation in Manufacturing

In the midst of Türkiye’s green and digital transformation, women are stepping into increasingly influential roles within the country’s dynamic manufacturing sector, thanks to a major initiative backed by the EU, UNDP, and TİSK, and implemented with support from the Ministry of Industry and Technology.
The Women’s Empowerment in Manufacturing Models Project—spearheaded by Project Director Emin Çetin Haşar—seeks to overturn deep-rooted stereotypes in what is traditionally a male-dominated global sector, where in Türkiye, women represent only 27% of the manufacturing workforce.
“Our goal is to challenge outdated mindsets and build a more inclusive industry,” Haşar states. Funded with €8.5 million from the European Union, the project provides not only technical training but also a path to sustainable employment and leadership development.
From Training to Transformation: Building the Future of Women in Industry
Through a partnership with the MEXT Technology Center, participants engage in hands-on training in automation and digital solutions. The project works with 100 manufacturing companies to assess their digital maturity, and 25 of them undergo sustainability analyses. So far:
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200 women workers have received automation training
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200 STEM-educated women are being trained as “change agents” to lead digital and sustainable transformation
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Job placements are actively facilitated, with wage subsidies supporting employment
Change Agents Speak: Empowerment Through Opportunity
▶️ Esma Diler, a 26-year-old computer engineer, said: “I discovered the project online and was drawn to its mission. After a competitive selection, I received extensive training and now work at an automotive parts company.”
▶️ Ayşe Nur Yıldırım, a mechanical engineer, noted: “The employment guarantee and focus on empowering women motivated me to apply. After six months of theory and practice, I now help my factory implement smart manufacturing systems.”
▶️ Mısra Toprak, an industrial engineer, added: “At first, working as a female engineer in manufacturing felt intimidating. But I’ve fully adapted. As ‘change agents,’ we not only represent women in industry but also strengthen our companies through digital and sustainability initiatives.”
Beyond Gender Equality: Driving Sustainable Industry
The initiative uses the globally recognized Smart Industry Readiness Index (SIRI) to evaluate companies across 70+ criteria in 10 categories, enabling tailored roadmaps for digital transformation and sustainability.
“Companies are optimizing supply chains, integrating smart software, reducing waste and water use, and adopting energy-efficient practices,” says Haşar. “This makes them both more competitive and environmentally responsible.”
EU Praises Türkiye’s Inclusive Industrial Transformation
Thomas Ossowski, Head of the EU Delegation to Türkiye, praised the program as a model of inclusive industrial growth. “This project doesn’t just promote gender equality, it equips women to lead in the sector. Türkiye is building a greener, more innovative, and more competitive manufacturing landscape,” he stated.