Abstract
THE ROLE OF WOMEN IN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: TURKEY AND ITALY AS MODELS
Forming half of the world’s population women haven’t achieved to reach the point that they deserve in financial arena, which stands as one of the big obstacles for development in the macroeconomic level. Economic growth projects have evolved on a large scale since 1960s. Recently, much effort has been practiced to integrate women, who were considered as passive beneficiaries of economic growth previously, into economic development process. It has been understood that without the participation of women in economy, realization of social and financial growth is impossible. Various strategies on women and development have been developed. Significantly; the participation of women in labor has increased the momentum of economic development.
In this context, no matter various categories exist, three different definitions have been labeled for gender mainstreaming and development which are; women in development (WID), women and development (WAD), gender and development (GAD). This study, addresses the statue of women in EU within the frame of women in development (WID), and compares Italy –as a member of European Union – and Turkey – which is in European Union full membership process. The reason why these two countries are compared is; both Italy’s labor force participation rate and Italy’s a likeness to Turkey in terms of its being under EU standards of women labor participation in labor market.
Keywords
Economic Development, Women, Turkey, Italy
