With over 80 years of leadership in the petrochemical industry, BAYEGAN continues to take concrete steps towards fostering an inclusive workplace. By signing the United Nations Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPs), which aim to ensure women's participation in all sectors and at all levels of economic life, BAYEGAN has committed to aligning with global standards.
Taking a significant step in equality, diversity, and inclusion, BAYEGAN has joined the WEPs, a joint initiative of UN Women and the UN Global Compact. Guided by internationally recognized labor and human rights standards, WEPs acknowledge businesses’ shared responsibility in promoting gender equality and empowering women. Under this framework, BAYEGAN aims to develop more effective solutions to increase female employment, strengthen women’s representation in leadership positions, implement inclusive workplace policies, and support gender equality across its supply chain.
Women’s employment in the petrochemical industry stands at 25%
BAYEGAN CEO Burcu Olcay Üstüner emphasized that by signing WEPs, one of the most significant global initiatives promoting women’s empowerment in the workplace, BAYEGAN has reaffirmed its commitment to fostering an inclusive work environment:
"We continue to operate in alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) principles. Our industry is among those with relatively low female employment. According to the World Energy Council, while women make up nearly half of the global workforce, their employment in the energy sector is only 22%. In petrochemicals, this rate stands at 25%, but it drops to 17% at executive levels.
These figures clearly highlight the need to increase women's employment in the industry. At BAYEGAN, we challenge the perception of the petrochemical sector as a male-dominated field by promoting equality at every level—from production to trade activities—while creating value with all our employees. Currently, 33% of our workforce is female, and we are determined to further increase this ratio."
"With the new steps we will take under WEPs, we will strengthen our inclusion policies"
Üstüner continued: "Last year, 30% of our new hires were women. Additionally, we achieved a 33% female workforce in STEM roles. Nearly half of our talent pool consists of women, and we aim to increase this figure to at least 40% by the end of 2026. With the new steps we will take under WEPs, BAYEGAN’s sustainable growth strategy will move forward with a more inclusive and equitable perspective. Supporting women in achieving their rightful place in the business world is not only an ethical responsibility but also a fundamental pillar of a sustainable future."
International Women's Day, celebrated annually by the UN Women, is observed under a specific theme each year. The theme for International Women’s Day 2025 is “For ALL Women and Girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment.”
About WEPs
The Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPs) is a joint initiative by UN Women and the UN Global Compact. It consists of seven key principles designed to enhance the private sector’s role in achieving gender equality. By adhering to these principles, BAYEGAN aims to further align its efforts with sustainable development goals, promoting equal opportunities and the participation of women in the workforce.
For more information, visit Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPs).