President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan issued a congratulatory message on the occasion of March 8, International Women's Day.
“I congratulate the International Women's Day of our women, who are the first teachers of humanity with a vital role in shaping our future with their sacrifice, efforts, love and struggle,” Erdoğan said in his message.
Stating that enhancing the activity areas of our women, the main pillar of the family and social structure, in all fields of social life, is of great importance in the country’s march towards a bright future, Erdoğan made the following remarks:
"In line with this understanding, we continue to work so as to ensure that our women have access to all opportunities in the field of education and benefit from healthcare services at the highest level, to strengthen their position in the working life, to increase their participation in decision-making mechanisms to the greatest extent and to boost their active representation in all fields."
Indicating that they express on every occasion that a solution to women's problems requires a consensus within society, Erdoğan continued as follows:
"It is very important for our women to have a say in all fields ranging from education to the working life and politics, to be able to reveal their problems, to be a guiding light with their solution proposals and to take a leading role. In this process, our educated, self-confident and brave women are our greatest guarantee. Supporting our women in their struggle against all sorts of discrimination, disentitlement and violence, the fulfillment of obligations by our state and non-governmental organizations and raising all our children and youth in line with this consciousness as from early ages would bring our country to a more advanced and developed level.
On the occasion of March 8, International Women's Day, I also wish God's mercy on our women, who have lost their lives as the victims of violence. I wish patience to our martyrs’ relatives who had to lay their beloved children, spouses, fathers and siblings to rest for the sake of the country. I would like to reiterate that there should be no discrimination between men and women in terms of fundamental rights and obligations, and I salute all our citizens wholeheartedly.”