At the International Family Fair held in Ankara’s ATO Congresium Convention and Exhibition Center, Türkiye’s Minister of Family and Social Services Mahinur Özdemir Göktaş announced that June’s birth assistance payments have been deposited into the accounts of over 220,000 mothers. The event, organized under the theme of “Family and Benevolence” by the Presidency of Religious Affairs and the Türkiye Diyanet Foundation, marked a major milestone in Türkiye’s 2025 Family Year campaign.
Accompanied by President of Religious Affairs Ali Erbaş, Minister Göktaş officially inaugurated the fair and highlighted the government’s ongoing efforts to support families in the face of modern societal challenges.
220,000 Mothers Receive June Birth Assistance Payments
Speaking to attendees at the opening ceremony, Minister Göktaş emphasized the importance of financial support during the early stages of motherhood. “As part of the Family Year initiative, one of the critical supports we have provided to citizens has been birth assistance payments,” she noted. “Today, we have deposited June’s payment into the accounts of 220,268 mothers. With this, we have contributed nearly 1.75 billion Turkish lira to families to date.”
These financial aids are part of a broader government strategy aimed at promoting family well-being, supporting childbearing, and sustaining the country’s demographic structure.
Emine Erdoğan’s Message Emphasizes the Sanctity of the Family
The event began with a Quran recitation and included a written message from First Lady Emine Erdoğan. Her statement underscored the foundational role of the family unit in all civilizations and faiths. Highlighting the risks posed by rapid digital transformation, individualism, and value erosion, she warned of the “serious ruptures” occurring within family structures across the globe.
“The family is the cornerstone of every society, a cradle of civilization, and a sacred institution for all religions,” her message read. “In today’s world, where individualism and digital distractions weaken traditional bonds, reinforcing the resilience of the family is not only a cultural duty but a service to humanity.”
A Family-Focused Vision for Türkiye’s Future
Minister Göktaş reiterated that the 2025 Family Year initiative is a multi-dimensional movement encompassing financial aid, education, cultural engagement, and digital resilience. She stressed that the source of long-lasting societal goodness lies in the strength of the family unit.
“Families are the yeast of goodness in our society. This goodness does not remain within four walls but extends across generations, shaping civilizations,” she said.
However, the Minister warned that the family institution is facing unprecedented threats in modern times. “We are living in an age where individualism is glorified and unlimited freedom is idealized. This mindset is pulling the family away from the center of social life and reducing it to a matter of personal choice,” she added.
Global Trends Threaten the Traditional Family Model
Göktaş addressed a range of global challenges impacting families, including what she described as ideological movements that seek to undermine traditional gender roles and family values. “We are witnessing an increase in trends that promote gender neutrality and discourage long-term commitment. These movements are spreading rapidly and influencing younger generations.”
She pointed to the concerning rise in isolation, transient relationships, and the replacement of responsibility with limitless lifestyle choices. According to the Minister, such shifts threaten not only the family structure but the cultural continuity of Türkiye and other nations alike.
Digitalization and Its Effects on Family Bonds
The Minister devoted special attention to the impact of digitalization on face-to-face communication and family cohesion. “Technology and digital tools are weakening family ties by replacing direct interaction. Today’s lifestyle portrays family-building as a burden rather than a blessing,” she said.
She observed that fewer young people are interested in marriage, parental roles are becoming diluted, and intergenerational relationships are being severed. “Digital transformation is pushing family members further apart instead of bringing them closer together,” she warned.
Türkiye’s Demographic Alarm: Birth Rate Falls to 1.48
Minister Göktaş expressed deep concern about the country’s falling fertility rate, which has dropped to 1.48 — the lowest in Türkiye’s recorded history and well below the replacement level of 2.1. “Reversing this trend is no longer optional. It is a necessity for our survival as a nation,” she stated.
To address this, the ministry has introduced the Family Protection and Strengthening Vision Document and Action Plan. This comprehensive roadmap aims to safeguard the family, bolster digital literacy, promote intergenerational solidarity, and maintain Türkiye’s dynamic population structure.
A Multi-Layered Support System for Families
Under the guidance of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, 2025 was declared the Family Year. Minister Göktaş shared that this declaration has triggered a wide range of initiatives aimed at empowering families.
These include economic supports for newlyweds and prospective parents, special discounts on family-related services, and programs to encourage childbirth and long-term parenting. Birth assistance payments are a core part of this framework and serve as both financial relief and symbolic encouragement for young families.
Family Diplomacy as a Global Responsibility
Göktaş emphasized that family protection is not solely a domestic issue but also an area of international cooperation. “Through what we call strong family diplomacy, we are collaborating with like-minded countries to confront global threats to the family institution. Our shared values must be the foundation of a common defense.”
According to the Minister, Türkiye is working with international partners to develop culturally respectful solutions to universal family challenges, ranging from digital addiction to ideological radicalization.
Awards and Umrah Opportunities Celebrate Family Engagement
In addition to policy announcements, the fair included public engagement programs. Winners of the “Foundation Person Contest” organized by the Türkiye Diyanet Foundation’s Youth Services Department were presented with awards during the ceremony.
One of the event’s highlights was the “Family Umrah” project, launched in cooperation with the Presidency of Religious Affairs and the International Solidarity Foundation for Muslim Communities. Under the slogan “Journeying to the Heart of the Universe with My Family,” a raffle was held and 500 families were selected to perform Umrah — a spiritual pilgrimage to Mecca — together.
Long-Term Commitment to Family Values
Minister Göktaş closed her speech by affirming the government’s dedication to placing families at the center of national development strategies. “We will continue to take bold and comprehensive steps wherever the family is involved. Strengthening the family is a national duty and a long-term mobilization effort.”
The International Family Fair served not only as a platform for new policy announcements but also as a cultural space where ideas, values, and strategies were shared among global participants. As Türkiye moves forward with its Family Year agenda, it positions the family as both a sacred trust and a key pillar of social progress.
