Entrepreneur program in earthquake zone inspires at UN

The Founder of Hepsiburada Doğan talked about the trade and empowerment of women in the earthquake zone at the UN.

Hanzade Doğan, the Founder and Chairman of the Board of Hepsiburada, stated that they promised “10 billion liras of trade volume to 10 thousand tradesmen” in the program they started for the earthquake zone and said, “Women entrepreneurs have a special place for us here. We will continue our program until we reach 5,000 women entrepreneurs.” said.

Doğan attended the 67th annual meetings (CSW67) organized by the United Nations (UN) Commission on the Status of Women.

Doğan, who came together with the senior executives of leading global and regional companies at the roundtable meeting titled “A Gender Equality-Based Job Future in the Digital Age” organized by the UN Global Compact, said that his company was in this context at the event of the Global Compact, of which Hepsiburada is a signatory. described his work.

Speaking to Anadolu Agency (AA) regarding his contacts at the UN, Doğan pointed out that gender equality is one of the most important UN Sustainable Development Goals, and said, “What steps should we take to close gender inequality at the headquarters of the United Nations?” We held meetings with a group of UN representatives.” said.

Stating that this year’s theme is how to accelerate gender equality with digital technologies and how digitalization can be beneficial in this regard, Doğan said:

“The reason why we were invited under this theme is that our Technology Power for Entrepreneurial Women program, which we have been running since 2017, exactly overlaps with the theme of CSW67. Therefore, we have conveyed the work we have done here, and we have shown companies and non-governmental organizations operating in other countries how they can carry out and implement similar studies.”

‘OUR PROGRAM INSPIRED’

Stating that it is also a source of pride to represent Turkey as the only female leader who attended the meetings from Turkey, Doğan said, “The work we have done in Turkey has set an example and inspired other countries, companies and non-governmental organizations. However, if such good examples are taken into account, I think we can spread the solutions and make a difference.” said.

Noting that 38 thousand women entrepreneurs expanded their businesses and created employment through the Technology Power for Entrepreneurial Women program, Doğan said, “When we started this program, only 6 percent of all our salespeople were women, but today 27 percent of the sellers on our platform are women. It really inspired everyone. Because with determination, we were able to change a trend and benefit women.” he said.

Pointing out that digitalization has risks and opportunities regarding gender equality, Doğan continued as follows:

“We are going through such a big change and transformation that technologies such as artificial intelligence and augmented reality will eliminate many business lines. Occupations with women may be proportionally more affected by this situation. In addition, technologies such as artificial intelligence exacerbate established biases. Therefore, prejudices against women may increase in the business world. So this is a danger but also a huge opportunity. Because new professions are emerging. If we can educate girls and women in these areas, we can accelerate the closing of gender inequality with digitalization. We need to make sure that the opportunities and benefits of digitalization are accessible to women.”

‘LONG-TERM EFFORT IS NEEDED’

Hanzade Doğan, referring to the work done by Hepsiburada in the earthquake zone, noted that support was provided with a great mobilization in this context, but long-term improvement efforts should be made.

Stating that they promised 10 billion liras of trade volume to 10 thousand tradesmen in the program they started as Hepsiburada group, Doğan made the following assessments:

“Our teams have been in the area since day one. Currently, we provide logistics, marketing and technology support to all kinds of tradesmen under the umbrella of this program. We are establishing 3 big e-commerce centers. If there is no warehouse, we can come and get warehouse service from us, if there is no accounting software, we provide an accounting software. We will hold the hands of the tradesmen in the region. Entrepreneurial women here have a special place for us. We will continue our program until we reach 5,000 women entrepreneurs.”

Stating that everyone suffered great pain in the earthquake, Doğan said that gender inequality deepened after natural disasters such as the Kovid-19 epidemic, and that women and young girls were more vulnerable to emerging problems, and that their education would not be disrupted, and economic freedom and opportunity were created. He said that every opportunity should be used.

WOMEN ARE PRIORITY TO US

Stating that Hepsiburada prioritizes providing benefit to society, Doğan emphasized that gender equality is one of the important steps in the development of society.

Pointing out that Hepsiburada is one of the rare companies founded and managed by a woman, Doğan said, “30 percent of our engineering staff consists of women. This World A significant percentage above the average. 34 percent of our executive cadres are women, although this figure is good by world standards, we aim to reach 50 percent. Last year, 46 percent of our promotions were women. So it is a very high priority for us.” he said. (AA)