İKD women’s entrepreneurship awards go to five business leaders

Women entrepreneurs working in fields ranging from cardboard production and livestock farming to bridalwear and organic agriculture came together at the Businesswomen Association’s (İKD) awards ceremony. Five women received awards at the ceremony, held on the evening of 7 November with Telsim as main sponsor, highlighting the growth of women-led businesses and their contribution to employment.

According to İKD, work that promotes entrepreneurship, production and the value of the land was recognised across different categories at the 15th Women Entrepreneurs of the Year Awards.

Awards presented in five categories

• The Promising Woman Entrepreneur of the Year Award went to Yağmur Abatay, Director of Abatay Cardboard Factory.
• The Inspirational Woman Entrepreneur of the Year Award was presented to Eda Kandulu, Director of a Cattle Farm.
• The Telsim Special Entrepreneurship Award went to Elif Leman Onan, Director of Onan Ltd.
• The Businesswomen Association Honorary Award was presented to Oya Bahtiyar, Founder and Director of Çiğdem Bridalwear.
• The Woman Entrepreneur of the Year Award for Adding Value to the Land went to Huri Akansoy, Coordinator of Sibela Organic Farm.

Emphasis on business visibility and employment

İKD President Bilen Sayılı Bozkırlı said the awards aim to bring the work of women entrepreneurs to a wider audience and encourage new entrepreneurs. Bozkırlı said the award recipients had grown their businesses and served as role models for other women, adding that women’s participation in economic life was important for the national economy and created new sources of employment.

Telsim General Manager Sefer Tüz said the partnership with İKD had continued for 15 years and that the awards had become a platform that helped recognise entrepreneurial achievements. Tüz said they would continue to support women in taking a stronger role in production, entrepreneurship and leadership.

Those attending the ceremony included Nilden Bektaş Erhürman, wife of President Tufan Erhürman; Labour and Social Security Minister Oğuzhan Hasipoğlu; Deputy Speaker of the Republican Assembly (Cumhuriyet Meclisi) Fazilet Özdenefe; MPs; businesspeople; and representatives of civil society organisations.