Male engagement

Gender inequalities often arise from patriarchal attitudes, deeply rooted stereotypes, and associated social norms concerning the roles and responsibilities of women and men within families and society. Achieving gender equality requires transforming unequal power relations between men and women, eliminating harmful gender stereotypes, challenging notions of masculinity and traditional perceptions of manhood, and supporting women both in their communities and workplaces.  

In Türkiye, women bear a disproportionate responsibility for unpaid care and domestic work, spending four times more time on these tasks than men. Women’s participation in the labor force is significantly lower than men’s, and a substantial portion of female employment is in the informal sector. Gender inequalities persist in the private sector, where women are underrepresented in leadership and decision-making positions. Women are often employed in traditional roles, face sexism and violence in the workplace, and encounter barriers to professional development. The gender pay gap in Türkiye is estimated at around 17%, increasing with age and motherhood.  

UN Women works with partners to promote men’s participation in childcare and child development, encourage the equitable sharing of domestic responsibilities, and prevent harmful practices such as gender-based violence and child marriage. UN Women has supported research processes to address challenges and opportunities for engaging men in gender equality. As part of this effort, the Report on Men’s Perceptions of Child, Early, and Forced Marriages was published.  

In January 2022, UN Women Türkiye developed a strategy document on engaging men and boys in gender equality. This initiative aims to foster a more advanced understanding of gender equality, include men and boys in efforts to address patriarchal norms and practices, and mitigate their impact on women, men, and boys.