Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan spoke at the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women Program.
In his speech, Erdoğan made the following remarks:
"I wish the program we conducted on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, acknowledged by the United Nations for 24 years, on November 25, to be beneficial. In our country, numerous events are organized within this framework every November 25. Our goal is to ensure that every individual in our nation, both men and women, is conscious of violence against women in their personal lives and in society. Thankfully, Türkiye has reached an unprecedented level in this regard. Despite deliberate campaigns conducted through widespread media and social media to overshadow this success, our sisters, especially, know the truth very well.
As a state, we have made combating violence against women a fundamental policy. For this purpose, we established the Ministry of Family and Social Services in 2011. We have demonstrated our commitment by closely monitoring and supporting every effort of the ministry, sincerely embracing it, and actively participating in the fight when necessary. Some try to obscure the services we provide for women by emphasizing the term 'family' in the name of our ministry. However, the family is the cornerstone of that colossal structure that constitutes our society, including women, men, children, and the elderly. Without the family, the existence of an individual is incomplete. We are aware that attacks on the institution of the family in our country have nothing to do with defending women's rights. The goal behind such attacks is to erode our national structure, starting with the family, and eliminate the characteristics that constitute our people.
A peaceful, secure family, where members respect each other, is also our strongest defense against violence against women. It is evident that a relationship where violence against women or children occurs contradicts the essence and spirit of the family concept. I ask you, can we define a relationship where a woman experiences violence based on mutual compassion, mercy, and respect, which are the core of the family concept? Who can claim that a structure where a child is subjected to physical or psychological violence is a healthy family? Who can say that? We consider the fight against violence against women as an integral part of our efforts to elevate and strengthen the family. In other words, by supporting the family, we aim to ensure the protection of all rights of women, especially in addressing the issue of violence.
I believe that, starting from the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, through our prime ministry and presidency, we have achieved a significant transformation in this direction with our actions. Our 2024 activity plan, which is the topic of today's meeting, is just one example of these transformations. In the last 21 years, if we were to list all the reforms and regulations that we have decisively implemented, it would take hours. The most significant revolution in the fight against violence against women in our country was made in 2012 with the enactment of Law No. 6284, the Law on the Protection of Family and the Prevention of Violence Against Women.
Our withdrawal from the Istanbul Convention, which had become a tool for exploitation by marginal groups and deviant currents, had no negative impact on women's rights or our fight against violence. The allegations circulated by certain circles have no basis or foundation. Because the actual tangible tools of the struggle are the legislation we have introduced into our legal system, including Law No. 6284, and the transformation we have achieved in the minds. This law is such a significant achievement that it cannot be sacrificed for speculations related to women's rights and family protection. We will not allow these achievements to be eroded. Of course, if there are problems in the nature and implementation of the law or deficiencies that need to be addressed, we will solve them, correct them, and, if necessary, strengthen the elements that need reinforcement.
In line with this goal, we are constantly updating our legislation. In this context, today, we have updated the general directive we published in 2006 regarding measures to be taken against violence and murders against children and women with a new directive. I believe that the coordination board we have established for the fight against violence against women will conduct activities befitting the Türkiye Century. Our 2024 activity plan, shared with the public today, has been prepared with the contributions of our relevant ministries and institutions. The plan is built on five main goals: access to justice and legislation, policy and coordination, protective and preventive services, social awareness, and data and statistics. This plan, with its 66 sub-goals and 218 activity titles, is a concrete expression of our strong commitment to the fight against violence against women.
Although we did not hear the details of the plan together, we watched them on the screen. Hopefully, we will ensure the effective and comprehensive implementation of the points determined in the plan. Our country provides state guarantees for women who have experienced violence through Women's Shelters, Violence Prevention and Monitoring Centers (ŞÖNİM), and social service centers operating in all 81 provinces. We are laying the groundwork for our zero-tolerance principle against violence against women through training and seminars provided to over 4 million individuals, including public officials and citizens. We continue our efforts for a Türkiye Century without violence. As a brother who has walked every stage of the political journey with women, I want to emphasize that we have reached these days not through political engineering but with the good prayers of women.
Whenever we entered into a struggle that served the well-being of our country and people, we always found the support of women. We repelled treacherous attacks on our lives with the support of women. As you know, women were in the forefront during the heinous coup attempt on July 15, resisting the coup plotters at the risk of their lives, challenging tanks, planes, and weapons that spewed death. Women were the leading figures among millions who resisted on the night of July 15, defending democracy. The women who resisted the coup attempt and confronted the traitors at the forefront were the heroes of democracy.
The struggle of women who were excluded from schools, university amphitheaters, professional
life, and public service just because of their clothing is one of the most important pages in the history of Turkish democracy. I sincerely greet the Diyarbakır mothers who caused nightmares for the terrorist organization with their vigil for their children. We can never repay the rights of the mothers of our martyrs, the precious teachers, Aybüke, and the brave women who threw themselves onto the bombs to protect the children of our martyrs, like Hatice Belgin.
We take pride in the achievements of women who have written epics with their sweat and sacrifices, be it at home, in factories, fields, or in their own businesses. We are aware that we can overcome all forms of discrimination by women and make their names golden letters in history. We have fought a determined battle against narrow-mindedness that oppresses and humiliates women based on tradition and customs, hiding behind the pretense of preserving tradition. In the upcoming period, by continuing our reforms, we will continue to bring our country to the place it deserves in every area needed. We prioritize the demands of our women within this framework.
In a country that excludes women, abandoning half of its human wealth in politics or in a program means giving up. Neither our history, civilization, culture, nor our traditions allow such recklessness and injustice. With this understanding, we say, what is the Türkiye Century? It will be the century of women. Hopefully, just like the exams we have given in the last 21 years, we will realize the vision of the Türkiye Century, celebrating the joy of this victory with women. By building a Türkiye without violence with the full solidarity of women, young and old alike, we will, with God's permission, achieve it. I see the 2024 activity plan for the fight against violence against women as a very valuable step taken in this direction. I sincerely believe that all institutions of our state, along with our civil society organizations and every individual in our nation, will show the necessary sensitivity in implementing the plan meticulously. As the President of Türkiye, we will not hesitate to provide every kind of support for the success of the plan. Just as we have been with women in their struggle for rights and justice until now, we will continue to be with them in the future."
