Minister Göktaş Addresses AK Party Başakşehir District Presidency
Family and Social Services Minister Mahinur Özdemir Göktaş emphasized the compassionate and merciful side of the state in her speech at the AK Party Başakşehir District Presidency. She highlighted the ministry’s dedication to providing services to the people and finding solutions to their problems in collaboration with the valuable members of the organization.
Minister Göktaş visited the Başakşehir District Presidency as part of the AK Party’s 8th Grand Ordinary Congress process, coinciding with the “Turkey Encounters” initiative. She expressed that the AK Party continues to march towards a brighter future for Turkey with the same determination as it did 23 years ago. Göktaş praised the party’s organizational structure, emphasizing the vital role of its branches, including women’s and youth branches, in reaching out to every corner of the country.
Acknowledging the special significance of Istanbul within the party, Göktaş noted that the city holds a unique place in the political journey of President Erdogan. She reiterated the party’s commitment to prioritizing the well-being of citizens, facilitating their lives, bringing investments to all regions of Turkey, extending a helping hand to those in need, and fostering strong community bonds.
Underlining the inclusive approach of the AK Party towards various segments of society, Minister Göktaş mentioned the extensive efforts made to support women, children, people with disabilities, the elderly, families of martyrs, and veterans. She highlighted the substantial investments in Istanbul, amounting to approximately 1 trillion 649 billion Turkish liras, with a significant portion allocated to family and social services sector.
Göktaş shared that the ministry operates 38 social service centers in Istanbul, including one in Başakşehir, where they have reached out to over 638,000 households through the Family Social Support Program. The minister also emphasized the support provided to children in care homes, elderly residents in care facilities, and victims of domestic violence through various initiatives and services.
Furthermore, Göktaş mentioned the allocation of significant resources for social and economic support in Istanbul, totaling 4.76 billion Turkish liras since 2012. She highlighted the role of the ministry’s women’s shelters and violence prevention programs in combating domestic violence and protecting vulnerable individuals.
In her address, Minister Göktaş highlighted the services provided to approximately 347 disabled citizens in residential care and rehabilitation centers, as well as the care offered to 1751 elderly individuals in nursing homes. She emphasized the widespread impact of social assistance programs, with nearly 368,000 households benefiting from these services in January 2024 alone.
As part of the ministry’s commitment to serving all citizens, Minister Göktaş reiterated the importance of working together with the organization’s members to deliver compassionate and effective solutions to people’s needs. She expressed confidence in achieving collective success and contributing to Turkey’s goals for the future through unity and collaboration.
Following her speech, Minister Göktaş engaged with the local community by visiting shops and interacting with residents alongside Başakşehir Mayor Yasin Kartoğlu and AK Party Başakşehir District President Sebahatdin Kayas. The event showcased the party’s dedication to grassroots engagement and fostering strong connections with the public.
