Within the last quarter of the twentieth century, there was an increase in demand for female labour in developing countries along with transition to export-oriented industrialization and growth strategies. Though Turkey’s transition to export-oriented industrialisation model took place in the 80s, industrial employment in general and particularly women’s share in this employment increased very little. As a result of decline in agricultural production and employment, an additional labour force, both male and female, emerged but growth in non-agricultural employment could not create demand to absorb this new labour force particularly in the case of women. In this article, the reasons why demand for female labour force remained at low levels will be discussed in the context of development strategies adopted.
