President Erdoğan Pledges Comprehensive Legal Protections for Women and Children During International Women’s Day Address

President Erdoğan pledges zero tolerance for violence against women and children while proposing an extension of maternity leave to 24 weeks in Turkey.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 9, 2026, 8:44 AM EDT

Source: The information in this article was sourced from Hürriyet Daily News

Turkish Presidency Signals Zero Tolerance Policy for Domestic Violence

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has formally committed to a policy of "no hesitation" regarding the state's fight against violence targeting women and children. During an iftar dinner in Istanbul held to commemorate International Women’s Day, the President asserted that the Turkish government would continue its determined struggle until no woman or child remains a victim of domestic abuse. This rhetorical shift comes at a time of heightened societal focus on safety, with Erdoğan characterizing any individual who inflicts such violence as having abandoned their shared humanity.

Legislative Reforms to Expand Parental Leave for Private and Public Sectors

A centerpiece of the President's address involved a new parliamentary proposal aimed at significantly restructuring parental leave policies within the Turkish labor market. The proposed legislation seeks to extend maternity leave from the current 16 weeks to 24 weeks, applicable to both public and private sector employees. Additionally, the plan includes a doubling of paternity leave from five to 10 days. These measures are framed as part of a broader effort to support family stability and encourage women’s active participation in the national economy without compromising domestic responsibilities.

Statistical Gains in Female Employment and Political Representation

Erdoğan utilized the platform to present a data-driven defense of his administration's record on women’s rights over the past two decades. He noted that female labor force participation has climbed from 27.9 percent to 34.7 percent, while general employment for women rose from 25.3 percent to 31.7 percent. The President also highlighted a shift in the legislative landscape, pointing out that the number of female deputies in parliament has surged from 24 to 119, bringing women's representation in the Turkish Grand National Assembly to nearly 20 percent.