As part of International Women’s Day, a panel titled “Ecology, Violence, and Employment” was organized to discuss how gender inequalities are reproduced across different social spheres and how these areas intersect with one another. The panel addressed the gendered dimensions of ecological crises, the structural dynamics of violence against women, and the multi-layered inequalities women face in the labour market from an interdisciplinary perspective.
In the opening remarks, it was emphasized that March 8 is not merely a symbolic day of commemoration but also a political reminder that makes visible the historical accumulation of struggles for labour rights, equality, and justice. It was noted that women’s labour is often rendered invisible, while care responsibilities are distributed unequally between genders, functioning as a structural mechanism that limits women’s participation in the public sphere.
The first session of the panel focused on the relationship between ecology and gender. Speakers stressed that the social impacts of the climate crisis and environmental degradation cannot be addressed through a gender-blind perspective. Processes such as access to natural resources, rural labour, food production, and the transformation of living environments were highlighted as directly linked to women’s everyday life practices. Ecological issues were therefore framed not only as environmental concerns but also as central to debates on social justice and equality.
The second session addressed violence against women from structural and cultural perspectives. It was emphasized that violence should not be understood merely as a problem arising within individual relationships, but rather as a phenomenon intertwined with gender regimes, power relations, and institutional mechanisms. In this context, the importance of increasing the visibility of violence and strengthening preventive policies was highlighted.
The final session focused on women’s position in the labour market. It was noted that the limited levels of women’s participation in employment are shaped not only by economic factors but also by social and cultural dynamics. Issues such as sectoral segregation, informal employment, and the lack of institutional support for care work were identified as key barriers to women’s equal participation in economic life. Participants emphasized that policies aimed at increasing women’s employment should adopt a holistic approach that prioritizes not only quantitative growth but also secure and quality working conditions.
The panel concluded with questions and contributions from participants. It was collectively emphasized that ecology, violence, and employment should not be treated as separate issues but rather as interconnected processes through which gender inequalities manifest across different social domains.
