Minister of Family and Social Services Mahinur Özdemir Göktaş made important statements about the projects and family-focused studies that were implemented with the declaration of 2025 as the “Year of Family.” In addition to various supports such as the birth support system, Family and Youth Fund and discounts for young people who will get married, she also touched on issues such as social media regulation and the foster family system.
Huge Interest in Birth Support: 170 Thousand Applications
Minister Göktaş stated that there has been great interest in the birth support system and that applications have been accepted via e-Government since April 8. He announced that they have received approximately 170 thousand applications so far and that payments will start to be deposited into mothers' accounts in May. Drawing attention to the fact that fertility is decreasing and the elderly population is increasing, Göktaş emphasized that they aim to strengthen families and contribute to the balancing of the population with these supports.
Family and Youth Fund: High Interest from Young People
Göktaş, who stated that the interest of young people in the Family and Youth Fund, which was put into practice with the approval of President Erdoğan, is high, said that 91 couples applied to the fund. He stated that the fund aims to prepare and support young people for marriage with pre-marriage education programs.
Call for Discounts from the Private Sector for Young People Getting Married
Göktaş, who stated that they wanted to support young people on their way to marriage and make their lives easier within the scope of the Year of Family, called on the private sector to provide discounts to young people who are getting married, in addition to the discounts provided by institutions such as THY and TCDD. He stated that negotiations with companies are ongoing and protocols will be signed to provide discounts, especially on expensive products such as white goods and household goods.
Social Media Regulation and Child Protection
Minister Göktaş also made important statements regarding social media regulation. Stating that they are working to protect children and families from the negative effects of social media, Göktaş said that they are holding meetings with representatives of social media platforms and intervening in harmful content. He drew attention to the fact that separate regulations are being made for children under the age of 13 and those between the ages of 13 and 16, and the importance of strengthening parents’ digital literacy.
Foster Family System: Every Child's Right to a Family
Göktaş, who also touched upon the foster family system within the scope of the Voluntary Ambassadors Project, emphasized that every child has the right to a family. He stated that the number of foster families, which was 2002 in 515, has reached 10 today and that the project is an example to the world.
Working Mothers and New Care Models
When asked about the increase in postpartum leave, Göktaş said that they were evaluating the demands of working mothers and working on a regulation. He also stated that they would implement different care models such as a home-based child care system.
Women and Family: Not Competitors
Emphasizing that women and families are not rivals, Göktaş stated that families cannot be happy without empowering women. He stated that they are working to strengthen healthy families and raise healthy generations.
Minister Göktaş’s statements reveal the importance of projects and family-focused work implemented within the scope of the Year of the Family. Various projects such as the birth support system, marriage support for young people, social media regulation and the foster family system aim to strengthen families and secure the future of society.
