52% of the Management Team at Ekoten Tekstil Are Women
Interview: Tuğba Karademir
Strong leaders shape the rising role of women in the textile industry. Gizem Çalış, the Operational Excellence Assistant General Manager at Ekoten Tekstil, says, “To strengthen women’s place in the workforce, education, mentorship, and support programs must be more widespread. Additionally, equal pay policies, fair promotion opportunities, and inclusive work environments should be created.”
Gizem Çalış, the Operational Excellence Assistant General Manager at Ekoten Tekstil, shares her experiences from her career journey in the industry, the challenges she faced, and the contributions of women to the workforce for our Tekstil Teknoloji Magazine. She emphasizes the importance of equal opportunity initiatives in this field. With over 15 years of experience in areas such as R&D, production, quality control, and process management, Çalış is leading projects aimed at increasing female employment and empowering women in the industry.
First, could you introduce yourself a little? Can you provide some information about your educational background? Did your education have an impact on your decision to enter the textile sector?
Hello, I am Gizem Çalış. I completed my undergraduate studies in Textile Engineering at Ege University. After graduation, I began my professional career at Ekoten Tekstil as a production engineer. For over 15 years, I have worked in various fields including R&D, production, quality control, process management, and development. I have also completed courses in areas like statistics, project management, lean production, and coding to enhance efficiency in work processes and produce innovative solutions. I thoroughly enjoyed integrating what I learned into my professional life. I have been serving as the Operational Excellence Assistant General Manager at Ekoten Tekstil for nearly four years. At the same time, I have also valued my academic development and completed my master’s degree in 2024 from the International Computer Institute at Ege University.
“At Ekoten Tekstil, 52% of our management team and over 40% of our board of directors are women”
There are still not enough women in managerial positions in the textile industry. How did your career journey in the textile sector begin? Have you faced challenges as a female leader?
My career journey has been shaped by the goal of continuously developing my technical knowledge and management skills. Of course, I faced various challenges in the early stages; however, my passion for my job, my solution-oriented approach, and my self-belief helped me overcome these obstacles. Additionally, I had the opportunity to work with managers who supported women and embraced an equal opportunity perspective, which was a significant advantage for me. Today, 52% of our management team and over 40% of our board of directors at Ekoten Tekstil are women. This highlights our corporate commitment to equality, not just individually but as a company.
What were some of the challenges you faced as a woman when you first entered the sector? How did you deal with the difficulties of being in a male-dominated industry?
When I first started in the industry, I encountered some prejudices, particularly due to working in a technical field. There were moments when I felt that my abilities were being questioned. However, thanks to my dedication to knowledge, my continuous learning approach, and my result-oriented mindset, I was able to change these perceptions. Building a reliable team, establishing strong communication, and developing a management style that supports collaboration have always been priorities for me. I believe that increasing the presence of women in the workforce positively impacts success.
“With our young talent programs, we support female engineering candidates to step into the industry with greater confidence”
How are the working conditions for women at Ekoten Tekstil? What initiatives do you have to support female employment?
At our company, we provide equal conditions and working conditions for all our employees. We support the freedom for everyone, regardless of gender, to work and develop in their desired fields. In promotion processes, we make decisions based on merit and in line with the principle of equal opportunity. I would like to emphasize once again that 52% of our management team is female at Ekoten Tekstil, and this is a great source of pride for us.
Additionally, we prioritize female candidates by collaborating with İŞKUR and municipalities to increase female employment. We run special project programs for women in engineering departments at universities and support female engineering candidates to step into the industry more strongly through our young talent programs. Moreover, we organize various training and development programs under Sun Academy to support the personal and professional development of employees. Special programs are implemented to encourage more women to take on leadership roles and help them develop their leadership skills. We also provide Gender Equality training to all employees to create an inclusive work environment.
The presence of more women in the textile sector contributes not only to economic development but also to sustainable production and innovation. Both our affiliate Sun Tekstil and Ekoten Tekstil encourage women employees to take on active roles in both production and design. Particularly in R&D and design departments, the proportion of female employees is high, and various incentives are provided to support women who are creating innovative solutions in the sector.
How does the increased presence of women in management roles and the workforce create change in the sector?
The increased presence of women in management positions makes the company culture more inclusive, innovative, and sustainable. Different perspectives lead to more creative solutions and management approaches that increase employee engagement. Women’s active participation in the workforce is a significant gain, not just for individual success, but for corporate and sectoral development as well.
Do you have any ongoing or planned corporate social responsibility projects? Can you provide information about your collaborations with NGOs?
As Sun Tekstil and Ekoten Tekstil, we have implemented various projects to promote gender equality in the workplace by signing the United Nations Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPs). In this context, we adopt equal opportunity policies at all stages, from recruitment processes to career planning, offering equal opportunities to both male and female employees. Additionally, through our “Young Talents Shape the Future” project, we meet with high school and university students to guide them in their career choices. Experts from our departments, including Human Resources, Design, Product Development, Production, and Planning, mentor young people by sharing their inspiring experiences.
In collaboration with the Women in Technology Association (Wtech) and SAP Turkey, we conducted an extensive training program to train experts in the SAP field. In addition to technical training, we also conducted workshops to raise awareness on issues such as gender equality, sustainability, communication, and leadership for women participating in the program.
Additionally, on special days, we provide meaningful keepsakes to our female employees by sourcing them from women entrepreneurs, thus supporting them and contributing to social development.
What advice would you give to women employees who are just starting their careers?
Based on my experiences, I would say that it is important to trust yourself and set clear goals. Being open to continuous learning and investing in professional development makes a significant difference. Despite the challenges, one should not give up and should put in extra effort to prove oneself. One of the keys to success in the business world is building a strong network and developing mentorship relationships. With discipline, determination, and passion, we can move forward in our careers with solid steps.
“To strengthen women’s place in the workforce, education, mentorship, and support programs need to be more widespread”
What awareness does International Women’s Day (March 8) create around the world? What approach should be taken to empower women in the workforce?
March 8 is an important day to celebrate women’s rights and achievements, as well as to highlight the challenges they face. However, I believe that this awareness should not be limited to just one day. To strengthen women’s place in the workforce, education, mentorship, and support programs need to be more widespread. At the same time, equal pay policies, fair promotion opportunities, and inclusive work environments should be created.
Finally, what message would you like to give to the women in the industry on International Women’s Day?
As women in the textile industry, we put in a lot of effort. The challenges we face may vary, but it’s important to know that we are not alone on this journey. By supporting each other, we can become stronger and have a greater say in the sector. On this occasion, I wish all working women a happy International Women’s Day and continued success
