The Challenges and Causes of Women’s Economic Empowerment in the Labour Market Based on Socio-Cultural and Structural Factors

Empowering women is an important goal in achieving gender equality in the social policies and projects implemented by international/national institutions and organizations. Economic empowerment, which signifies women gaining equality, freedom, and self-sufficiency through participation in the labor market and employment, is of paramount importance. Education is the most crucial determinant in empowering women in all areas, especially in the economic field. However, despite a significant reduction in gender inequality in education today, it is still evident that there is a substantial disparity in labor force participation and job opportunities. This situation points to various dynamics affecting women's economic empowerment through labor force participation. These dynamics are the fundamental constraints imposed on women by socio-cultural and structural factors in the labor market. The aim of this study is to identify the problems women face in the process of economic empowerment in the labor market based on socio-cultural and structural factors. The data obtained in the study indicate that socio-cultural and structural problems such as gender-based socio-cultural norms, the segmented occupational structure of the labor market, the unequal burden of unpaid work, and insufficient and expensive childcare services hinder women's economic empowerment. These issues mentioned above limit women's capacity to make choices, exercise freedom, and achieve autonomy in their decisions regarding employment and job preferences, which are crucial for economic empowerment. Within the framework of these limitations caused by these problems, women's access to the labor market remains inadequate, and the working conditions in the labor market are unfavorable. These issues restrict the capacity of women, which is essential for economic empowerment, to make choices, exercise freedom, and maintain autonomy in their decisions regarding employment and job preferences. Within the framework of these limitations caused by these problems, women's access to the labor market remains inadequate, and the working conditions and arrangements in the labor market become unfavorable. Due to the presence of socio-cultural and structural barriers, participation in the labor force not only fails to empower women economically but also perpetuates their vulnerability at home and in society within the employment context. Policies aimed at empowering women economically should not solely focus on raising women's education levels as a single goal. It is critical for these policies to also consider socio-cultural and structural factors and target the elimination of the problems caused by these factors.