In his video message to the High-Level Meeting on the 25th anniversary of the Fourth World Conference on Women, President Erdoğan said: “We carry out our combat in fighting violence against women with a multifaceted, holistic approach and with the principle of zero tolerance.”
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan sent a video message to the High-Level Meeting on the 25th anniversary of the Fourth World Conference on Women. President Erdoğan said:
“WE HAVE TAKEN HISTORIC STEPS TO STRENGTHEN THE ROLE OF WOMEN IN LIFE”
“Even 25 years after its adoption, the Beijing Declaration remains a milestone for the rights of women and girls. We attach great importance to the review process of the Declaration at the local, regional and global levels.
However, the review processes show that progress falls behind what was committed in 1995. From this day on, it is clear that more needs to be done.
In Turkey, in recent years, we have taken historic steps to strengthen the role of women in life. Based on the principle of ‘Strong Women, Strong Family, Strong Society’, we have enhanced the education of women and girls and encouraged the participation of women in the labor force.
Thus, the female workforce increased by 3 million 926 thousand persons to reach 10 million 686 thousand; and we increased female employment by 2 million 802 thousand persons to 8 million 924 thousand. Also, during this period, the female labor force participation rate increased by 6.5 points to 34.4 percent. When we took office, the female literacy rate among the population aged six and above was 79.9 percent, while this rate rose to 95.3 percent in 2019.
“WE CAN NEVER TOLERATE EVEN A SINGLE WOMAN IN OUR COUNTRY BEING EXPOSED TO VIOLENCE”
We carry out our combat in fighting violence against women with a multifaceted, holistic approach and with the principle of zero tolerance. We can never tolerate even a single woman in our country being exposed to violence, incurring the violation of her rights, law and dignity. We appreciate the fact that one of the priorities determined by Mr. Volkan Bozkır for the deliberations of this year’s General Assembly is ‘improving the living standards and the rights of women, ensuring their full and equal participation in all spheres of life and strengthening their status within society.’ We will continue to provide all the necessary support to Mr. Bozkır in this meaningful work.
On the other hand, the COVID-19 pandemic has shown how fragile women's rights still are, even after 25 years. Women have been at the top of the social segments most adversely affected by the pandemic.
We have witnessed that in many countries acts of violence against women have escalated and the burden on women’s shoulders has become economically and socially heavier. In Turkey, taking into account the possibility of escalation of domestic violence within this process, we have opened new ‘guesthouses for women’. We have thus further strengthened our capacity to protect victims in the face of deplorable incidents. In addition, we have implemented employment measures and women-friendly policies. Through the Social Support Helpline and a specially developed mobile application, we have ensured that cases of violence and abuse are immediately reported to the relevant units. It is the responsibility of all of us to make sure that women come out stronger from this difficult process. In this regard, we find it meaningful that this year's review is made within the scope of the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda.”