Emine Erdoğan: "What we will do for Africa's women in need of support is not a favor, it is our humanitarian duty"
Speaking at the meeting on "Empowering Women and Girls in Africa: Approaches to Building Resilient, Sustainable and Just Societies", she said: "What we do for the women in need of support in Africa is not a favor for them, it is our human duty. Because human rights are an indivisible whole. If a part of the rights is taken away for any reason, the concept of human rights loses its legitimacy."
Accompanying President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on his visit to the United States, First Lady Emine Erdoğan hosted a meeting on "Empowering Women and Girls in Africa: Approaches to Building Resilient, Sustainable and Just Societies" organized on the sidelines of the 73rd United Nations General Assembly.
The meeting organized by the Permanent Mission of Turkey to the UN was attended by Minister of Foreign Affairs Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu and his wife, African Union Special Representative for Women, Peace and Security Bineta Diop, UNDP President Achim Steiner, UN Women East and Southern Africa Officer Izeduwab Derex-Briggs, UNICEF Deputy Secretary General Fatumata Ndiaye, Minister of National Defence Hulusi Akar's wife Şule Akar, Minister of Treasury and Finance Berat Albayrak's wife Esra Albayrak, as well as the wives of some African leaders.
"AS TURKEY, WE BELIEVE THAT THE 21ST CENTURY WILL BE THE AGE OF AFRICA"
Speaking at the meeting, Emine Erdoğan stated that she has visited nearly 30 African countries and admired the colorful culture of Africa in each of them and continued as follows: "East, west and sub-Saharan Africa are each rich in their own characteristics. Contrary to the common perception and orientalist stereotypes in the world, Africa is a very dynamic continent. But unfortunately, despite all this richness, there is a monolithic perception of Africa identified with poverty. Racist regimes and colonial administrations have taken away all the dynamism of Africa, especially in the last few centuries. The 20th century was a lost century for Africa. But we, as Turkey, believe that the 21st century will be the age of Africa."
Stating that as long as women are condemned to poverty and are looked down upon, human rights will not reach their essence, Emine Erdoğan said: "What we will do for the women in need of support in Africa is not a favor for them, but our human duty. Because human rights are an indivisible whole. If a part of the rights is taken away for any reason, the concept of human rights loses its legitimacy."
"EVERY SUPPORT WE GIVE TO AFRICA IS AN INVESTMENT IN HUMANITY"
Noting that Turkey's opening to Africa, which started in 2005, continues with the efforts of NGOs, businessmen and new dialog mechanisms, Emine Erdoğan said, "Turkey is doing its best to help Africa reach the level of prosperity it deserves. Especially for women, we make plans according to the needs that vary from region to region. We have three main points of action: meeting basic needs, strengthening social status and improving the economic situation." Speaking about the African Handicrafts Market and Culture House initiative, where the handicrafts of African women are sold at their rightful value without any profit motive, Emine Erdoğan said, "Every support we give to Africa is an investment in humanity. The fruits will return to all of us as a peaceful and peaceful world."
Other speakers at the event said that Turkey's development support to Africa is remarkable and congratulated Turkey for its pioneering humanitarian aid activities.
After the event, which concluded with a family photo, Emine Erdoğan had a meeting with Bineta Diop, Special Representative of the African Union for Women, Peace and Security, and exchanged ideas on possible joint activities.
26.09.2018
