Minister Göktaş: “The world should not remain silent in the face of Israel’s aggression”

The Minister of Family and Social Services, Mahinur Özdemir Göktaş, stated that Israel is implementing a clear genocide by gradually occupying Palestinian territories and said, “The world should not remain silent in the face of Israel’s aggression that has turned the entire region into an area of insecurity for everyone, stretching from Gaza to Lebanon.”

Mahinur Özdemir Göktaş, representing Turkey at the “Beijing +30 Regional Review Meeting” at the United Nations (UN) Office in Geneva, noted that international platforms play a significant role in the protection and development of fundamental human rights. Emphasizing that the platforms Turkey is a part of demonstrate its commitment to women’s rights through the treaties it is a party to, Göktaş said, “As our President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has also emphasized, we act on the belief that ‘a politics without women and a governance understanding that excludes women is a great loss for society.’ With this belief, we have ensured that women benefit fairly from rights, opportunities, and possibilities. We have implemented initiatives that open up opportunities for women to strengthen in political, social, and economic fields.”

Göktaş pointed out that Turkey has become the country that has increased the rate of women’s participation in the workforce (14.6) and the employment rate of women (12 points) the most among OECD countries during the 2007-2023 period, stating that every concrete step that empowers women means strengthening the country.

“We are taking concrete steps to increase women’s participation in the workforce”

Stressing that they have placed the goal of empowering women at the center of family and community work with the social policies they have set according to the principle of “Strong women, strong families, strong society,” Göktaş said, “With the Women’s Empowerment Strategy Document and Action Plan we have prepared, we are working on initiatives that will enable women in Turkey to have more say in economic, social, and political fields. With this plan, we aim to eliminate the barriers women face in various areas from education to health, from employment to entrepreneurship. By supporting women cooperatives and entrepreneurship with the incentives and support programs we provide, we are taking concrete steps to increase the participation of more women in the workforce. It is also well known that women and children are more affected by environmental pollution and climate change, which are the biggest problems of the 21st century.”

“We are increasing the accessibility of services for victims of violence”

Göktaş pointed out that despite the policies determined at both national and international levels, the calls made, and the measures taken, violence against women continues to exist as a global problem. She stated, “To combat this issue, it is necessary for not only individual countries but also such important platforms to act with great determination through multi-faceted, holistic, and inclusive plans and policies.” Expressing that their struggle against violence against women continues resolutely in line with the principle of ‘zero tolerance for violence,’ Göktaş said, “In this context, our National Action Plan IV on Combating Violence Against Women continues under the headings of access to justice, legislation, policy, protective and preventive services, and social awareness. We are increasing the accessibility of counseling and guidance services for victims of violence. We protect our women with hundreds of organizations across Turkey. With our applications such as electronic bracelets and KADES, we intervene immediately in incidents of violence with our Ministry of Interior and all relevant institutions. We know that it is important for risks in violence cases to be detected early and for protective-preventive mechanisms to be activated. In this context, we have started our work to create social risk maps across the country. Thus, it will be possible to determine protective and preventive activities specific to each city, district, neighborhood, and even family.”

Göktaş pointed out that new types of violence against women and girls have emerged, stating, “Technology has made access to these new threats easier, turning the internet into an unsafe space for women. Cyber violence types have been defined as crimes in various provisions of the Turkish Penal Code. We have implemented legal regulations that create mechanisms and channels for victims of cyber violence to appeal. Similarly, we must address the new risks that arise while embracing the opportunities presented by artificial intelligence.”

“Global conflicts and violence continue to increase”

Emphasizing that the violence faced by women and children in conflict zones should not be overlooked, Göktaş said, “Unfortunately, as global conflicts and violence continue to rise, women and girls bear the greatest burden. On this occasion, I would like to call for the immediate and full implementation of the international legal framework, especially UN Security Council Resolution 1325 and the Beijing Platform for Action. Israel is implementing a clear genocide by gradually occupying Palestinian territories. The world should not remain silent in the face of Israel’s aggression that has turned the entire region into an area of insecurity for everyone, stretching from Gaza to Lebanon. I would like to reiterate that we are determined to fight against all forms of discrimination and violence against women and girls. As we commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, let us reaffirm our commitment to a world where every woman and girl can realize their potential, free from violence and discrimination.”