KARSAN, Turkey’s local producer of commercial vans, has started transforming its internal and external communications into a more egalitarian and gender-sensitive language as a result of work of the International Labour Organization (ILO) initiated jointly at KARSAN to achieve gender equality in the world of work.

As a consequence of the work initiated by ILO with the slogan “Gender equality starts with language; equality in language is the first step towards gender equality at KARSAN and in the world of work”, the “Positive Equality” logo is now being used on all corporate promotional materials (notebooks, calendars, pads etc.) and in all internal and external communication channels and announcements (such as vacancy announcements).

To create awareness of gender equality on the part of employees, the “Positive Equality” logo has also been placed on the kiosks that display menus at the mess hall, and a feminine figure has been placed next to the masculine figure on the visual warning for occupational safety and health at the organisation.

The objective is to make Gender Equality an Integral Part of Corporate Policies and Practices

In the context of ILO-supported work, KARSAN Equality Committee has been created which consists of equal numbers of women and men representing all levels of employees. The “Equality Development Plan” drafted by the Committee plans to make such good practices, introduced even before a year of implementation period, as part of corporate policies and practices in the long run, and the gender equality approach prevail across all corporate processes.

Training aims to create awareness

In this context, a session of “Equality in Language” was delivered on 5 February 2020 at KARSAN in Bursa as a part of the training series rolling to create awareness on gender equality across KARSAN and ensure sustainability of gender equality approach in all business processes.

The morning session of the training included group work and exercises with active participation from trainees on such matters of importance as equality in language and communications, sexism in media, impact of the language of print and broadcast media on gender roles, discrimination in communicative means, and eliminating inequality.

Enriched by instructive and enjoyable video presentations, the training also treated the impact of language sexism on society and individuals and exemplary practices in the private sector.

At the afternoon session, the “Equality Development Plan” created by KARSAN was taken up, and information was provided on good gender practices implemented at KARSAN.

ILO and KARSAN had earlier signed a Cooperation Protocol

KARSAN and ILO had signed a protocol in July 2019 to promote gender equality and increase women’s employment at KARSAN, through delivering gender equality training and implementing gender-based corporate policies and practices by means of business plans over a year.

The work is undertaken in the context of “More and Better Jobs for Women Programme” implemented by ILO with funding from the Swedish Government.