Since its launch in March 2018 as a pioneering initiative in the fuel retail sector to promote female employment, the “Women’s Energy at Shell” program at Shell & Turcas service stations has supported the employment of more than 10,000 women to date. Launched to provide job opportunities for 5,000 women by 2023, “Women’s Energy at Shell” has become a key part of operations and has sparked transformation within the sector.

At Shell & Turcas, where women account for 29% of the Board of Directors and 47% of the Executive Committee, efforts are underway to strengthen women’s positions in the workforce based on the belief that there is no such thing as a “gendered profession.”

Committed to being a consistent first mover and pioneer in the sector, Shell & Turcas has served as a source of inspiration for the industry through its “Women’s Energy at Shell” initiative.  Under the auspices of the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources and the Ministry of Family, Labor, and Social Services, and in collaboration with the Turkish Employment Agency (İŞKUR), the “Women’s Energy at Shell” program was launched on March 9, 2018, to encourage women to work in various positions such as station manager, front-line sales representative, retail sales associate, shift supervisor, accounting clerk, and administrative specialist.

“Women’s Energy at Shell” has pioneered lasting transformation in the male-dominated fuel sector by inspiring sector players that women can work and succeed at every level. Compared with other stations, stations with female employees had 3% higher satisfaction in 2019 and 6% higher satisfaction in 2020.

The “Women’s Energy at Shell” initiative has been recognized with significant awards for its contributions to women’s employment, including the National Employment Mobilization, the Sustainable Business Awards – Women’s Empowerment, the Felis Awards, and the Women-Friendly Brands Award. At the “Women Giving Energy to Türkiye” Awards Ceremony organized by the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources, it was honored with the “Exemplary Company in Energy Award” for 2022. “Women’s Energy at Shell” initiative was also featured as a best practice in the book “Women in Business Life, Analysis in Different Sectors during the Covid-19 Process” published by Prof. Dr. Fatma Ayanoğlu, Director of Marmara University Women’s Studies Application and Research Center in Economic and Social Fields (ESKAR).

Shell & Turcas continues to support the Foundation for the Support of Women’s Work (KEDV), with which it collaborates on various projects related to gender equality. Since 1986, KEDV has been working to realize the vision of a society free from inequality and poverty and to empower women. Lavender boxes produced by women within KEDV are purchased and placed on the reception desks at Shell stations. This initiative provides sustainable employment for women in various fields while also raising awareness.