Teknosa Launches ‘Inspiring Encounters’
Foreks - Teknosa (IS:TKNSA), which has been carrying out the 'Technology for Women' project in collaboration with the Habitat Association since 2007, believes that digitization is a significant turning point for gender equality and has taken a new step by launching 'Inspiring Meetings.' The first guest of the 'How I Succeeded' panel, held as part of the event, was Gamze Cizreli, the founder of BigChefs.
CEO of Teknosa, Sitare Sezgin, who brought together women participating in the project with women who make a difference in the business world, stated, “For 17 years in our 'Technology for Women' project, we have always drawn our inspiration from women and continue to do so. There’s nothing that women cannot do or achieve. As long as we unite our strengths to overcome those invisible barriers.”
As a subsidiary of Sabancı Holding, Teknosa has taken a new step in its 'Technology for Women' project, which has been ongoing for 17 years, aiming to increase the digital literacy of women across Turkey and contribute to their more active use of technology. In collaboration with the Habitat Association, Teknosa launched 'Inspiring Meetings,' bringing together participants of the project with women who have made significant contributions in their fields. The first event took place at the Facebook Station Habitat Hub in Istanbul with a substantial turnout.
“We have touched the lives of over 32,000 women in 17 years”
At the opening, Teknosa CEO Sitare Sezgin mentioned that they have been running Turkey’s longest-lasting technology project in partnership with the Habitat Association, and stated, “When we started this project 17 years ago, our fundamental motivation was the belief that we can build a more equal and powerful future through gender equality. Women constitute half of the country's population. Our development and success are only possible if we have equal opportunities in every area of life. At Teknosa, we strive to break the perception that 'technology is a man's job.' So far, we have impacted the lives of over 32,000 women from all corners of Turkey through the project. Women participating in our training are accessing all kinds of information more easily using technology, expanding their social networks. They are starting to actively use technology in their work and e-service processes. They begin to showcase and sell their handicrafts and homemade products through social media. The relationships formed through this project go beyond education, transforming into other good deeds over time. I believe our project plays a significant role in women's adaptation to the digital world. We aim to expand the 'Inspiring Meetings' event, which we organized for the first time today, by holding it in different cities every four months. We have always drawn inspiration from women in our project and will continue to do so. There's nothing that women cannot do or achieve. As long as we unite our strengths to overcome those invisible barriers.”
“Women Empowered by Technology Become Pioneers of Transformation in Social Life and Work Life”
Bora Caldu, Executive Board President of the Habitat Association, expressed the following about the Technology for Women project: “I would like to emphasize that we take pride in reaching over 32,000 women in 17 years through the joint 'Technology for Women' project with Teknosa and the Habitat Association. The Technology for Women Project aims for women to experience transformation in both their personal and professional lives through technology use. We aim to enhance women's digital skills, bring technology-based business ideas to life, and increase their participation in social life. The 'Inspiring Meetings' events that we have implemented as a sub-framework of the Technology for Women project aim to present a hopeful perspective to participants by bringing successful women entrepreneurs together. We have partnered with Teknosa for 17 years on this project, and we believe that we will continue to work together to enhance women's technology competencies in the years to come.”
Women who make a difference shared their stories
As part of the event, the guest speaker of the 'How I Succeeded' panel was Gamze Cizreli, founder of BigChefs. Cizreli shared how she overcame obstacles she faced as a woman in the business world, in response to questions from Teknosa CEO Sitare Sezgin. During the 'Inspiring Women Panel', moderated by Elif Yıldırım Başer from the Habitat Association, Merve Özkorkmaz, founder of Otama Kırkpınar, Evren Büyük Kepkep, founder of Hipokid, and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Gülgönül Bozoğlu Batı, founder of Development Minds, shared their stories with the participants.