One of the most important indicators of sustainable economic development and an improved democracy-economy relationship is the women's participation in business life. Even though significant progress has been made in these fields in Turkey during the recent years, studies are needed to be carried out still at individual, social and global level. A developed economy and an advanced democracy is in direct proportion to the increase of women employment in business life, ending violence against women and raising the social status of women in the society. The representation of women in economic, political and social life in Turkey (where half of the society consists of women) is unfortunately still at a low level. Today only one of 27 ministers in the council of ministers is woman and only 80 out of 550 members of parliament are woman. According to the Turkish Statistical Institute (TUIK) data, the employment rate of men is 70% and the employment rate of women is 30% in Turkey. (If a comparison is made; the average of employment rate of women in EU is 62.3% and 52% in OECD countries.) The rate of female employers is only 10% and the rate of female member of the board of directors is 12%. All these figures point out that a cultural and mental change has to be rapidly supported in order to strengthen women in all fields in Turkey. Because production, abundance and democracy could not exist without woman. Based upon this consciousness, the business world, public institutions, universities and non-governmental organizations carry out significant studies focusing on issues such as social equity and strengthening women in recent years. These studies which address various issues such as girls’ and young women’s education, strengthening woman in workforce, encouraging women in entrepreneurship and increasing the economic welfare level are of great importance in terms of development of the national economy. The World Economic Forum (WEF) has indicated that 118 years are needed for reaching gender equality in all levels of the global workforce! Gender Equality Report in Management prepared by the international audit and consulting company EY shows that gender equality in top management in the business world would be reached in the next 25 years. However, according to the report that has been prepared by having a meeting with 350 senior executives of 200 big companies from 51 countries and 6 different sectors around the world (automotive, consumer products and retail, financial services, health, energy, public services), only 18% of the participant companies have stated that they are carrying out a structured program aimed at women to become leaders. Briefly, companies are still far away from realizing the benefits that gender equality would bring with it. In fact, the report published by YASED (International Investors Association) shows that even 1%increase in the participation of women in workforce would increase the global GDP 80 dollars. According to the report titled “Practices and Suggestions aimed at increasing the representation of women in senior management”, the possibility of financial performance being above the sector average in institutions where man-woman rate is closer is 15%. By reminding that the companies (that have not put gender equality on their agendas yet) to take action as of today is very important in terms of both the company’s performance and contribution to the society, let’s take a look at the studies of companies, universities and non-governmental organizations which became prominent recently: “GENDER” WILL BE STUDIED IN A UNIVERSITY CHAIR FOR THE FIRST TIME Koç University and United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) carried out a significant collaboration in May 2016 in Turkey. Hosted by Koç University, a chair which will carry out studies related to gender equality and human-oriented development which are one of the global priorities of UNESCO has been established. “UNESCO Chair of Gender Equality and Sustainable Development” which is a first in Turkey is one of the few chairs around the world that carry out studies in the field of gender equality and development. THE BUSINESS WORLD IS CONCENTRATING ON PROJECTS FOCUSED ON WOMEN EMPLOYEES The business world is carrying out studies focusing especially on intrapreneurship and equality in order to support women employees. Bora Tuncer, Country President for Schneider Electric indicates that one of the most important factors in moving a step ahead in the competition is diversity and emphasizes that “since women encounters many obstacles in business life including gender-based approaches and physical difficulties, they work much more under stress and pressure”. Tuncer tells that women getting stronger in the business world creates a significant diversity culture due to reasons such as their ability to offer more creative solutions under pressure and their high level of emotional intelligence distinctness and thinks that companies that have initiated different practices in this field would take steps to a better future. Within this context, Schneider Electric Turkey has gathered up women working at all the factory and offices throughout the country in special events and created an atmosphere where they could share the best practices that would make women employees’ life easier and their own experiences. On the other hand, Yıldız Holding succeeded to reach thousands of women in Turkey until today through the Micro-Entrepreneurship Platform that the company has initiated as a social responsibility project. The platform enables women to convert their hobbies and capabilities into money and to find opportunities to exhibit their products in order to contribute to their family budget. The “woman” issue is also on the agenda of TAB Gıda which 33% (app. 6000 employees) of the company’s current employees are woman and is among the first 10 companies that provide “the most woman employment opportunity” (Social Security Institution). The company aims to increase this rate to 40% next year and is making improvements in its human resources politics in order to employ more women both in its restaurants and also at managerial level. Technology giant Microsoft have organized Woman Leaders of Technology contest in cooperation with Women Entrepreneurs Association of Turkey (KAGIDER) which is the first technology reward program aimed at women and emphasized the situation in technology sector which is another sector where there is considerably lack of women employees in Turkey. Microsoft Turkey General Manager Murat Kansu tells that they are inviting women to play a more active role in IT sector through this traditionalized reward and reminds that the share of Turkey in the global BT market is only 1 percent today although it is the biggest 17th economy in the world; “In fact Turkey has an advantageous position and has the power to change the current situation though its number of mobile subscribers, increase in the rate of Internet users and its young population. 5000 computer engineers are graduated from the universities in Turkey each year. However, only 15% of these 5000 graduates are young women”. The fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics that provide a high added value to the development of countries are still considered as men jobs both in Turkey and all around the world. Young women have to be encouraged to receive training in these fields in order to open the way for women to work in qualified and prestigious jobs. Because, a good job requires a good education. An educated and working woman has a positive impact on family life. Therefore, a well-educated and working woman is a very important actor for raising self-sustained generations. President of KAGIDER Sanem Oktar summarizes the issue in this way: “Just like smart companies, smart countries also invest in women employment. If Turkey is willing to take place in the field in the fourth industrial revolution, it should not ignore women. If women would have been employed equally as men, Turkey’s gross domestic product (GDP) would be 30% more today. We shouldn’t lose our rich human resources.”