Women in Gaza bear heaviest burden of humanitarian crisis: Turkish Minister

Turkish Minister of Family and Social Services Mahinur Ozdemir Goktas emphasized that women and girls in Gaza are enduring the most severe consequences of violence, poverty, and deprivation of fundamental rights due to the ongoing humanitarian crisis.

Speaking at the 69th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) at the United Nations headquarters, Goktas reaffirmed Türkiye’s commitment to providing aid and support to the people of Gaza.

Women and girls facing brunt of crisis in Gaza

During her address, Goktas stated, “In the context of the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza, women and girls bear the heaviest burden of violence, poverty, and deprivation of fundamental rights. As Türkiye, we remain committed to mobilizing all our resources to help the people of Gaza heal and rebuild their lives.”

Goktas represented Türkiye at the high-profile U.N. event, which is one of the most significant gatherings following the U.N. General Assembly.

She delivered the country’s official statement, highlighting the persistent challenges faced by women worldwide.

“The inequalities between different geographies and nations, rising conflicts, the adverse effects of climate change, and ongoing injustices are deepening these problems. These crises create new challenges for women and girls, undermining the progress achieved so far. Today, conflicts pose one of the greatest threats to the safety and well-being of women and girls,” she said.

Ankara’s commitment to supporting women in conflict-affected regions

Goktas underscored that Türkiye is not only focused on humanitarian assistance but also on empowering women in crisis zones, recognizing their critical role in sustainable peace and progress.

“Türkiye also emphasizes the needs and empowerment of women because their active participation in recovery and resilience-building efforts is vital for ensuring sustainable peace and progress. With this approach, we will continue to contribute to the reconstruction efforts in Syria and support the region’s stability and development,” she added.

Empowering women through technological advancements

Goktas also highlighted the impact of technological advancements, particularly artificial intelligence, on societies and economies.

She stressed that while such developments offer new opportunities for women’s empowerment, they also risk perpetuating existing inequalities.

“This transformation presents significant opportunities for women’s empowerment, but it also carries the risk of maintaining and even deepening existing inequalities. Technology should be a tool for equality, inclusion, and justice, not exclusion and bias,” she asserted.

Türkiye’s policies for women’s empowerment

Reaffirming Türkiye’s commitment to gender equality, Goktas emphasized the nation’s ongoing efforts under the vision of “Strong Women, Strong Türkiye.”

“With the Women’s Empowerment Strategy Document and Action Plan, we implement initiatives to ensure full access to rights, opportunities, and resources for women. To integrate these policies at both national and local levels, we established the Women’s Empowerment Coordination Council through a Presidential Decree issued on March 8. Our goal is to enhance women’s participation in the economy and strengthen their contributions to the country’s sustainable development,” she explained.

Türkiye is also among 23 OECD countries implementing gender-responsive budgeting, which Goktas highlighted as an essential tool for ensuring equal opportunities for men and women.

“As part of this, we are committed to sharing our expertise and supporting global efforts for gender equality and women’s empowerment in all international platforms, starting from the Beijing Declaration,” she concluded.