Emine Erdoğan attended the Women, Peace and Security Session of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's wife Emine Erdoğan addressed the leaders' wives and participants at the Women, Peace and Security Session of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum held at the Nest Congress Center.

Expressing her pleasure to welcome the wives of leaders and representatives of international organizations in Antalya, a popular city with its ancient history, nature and culture, Emine Erdoğan reminded that the main theme of this year's forum is "highlighting diplomacy in times of crises".

Emphasizing that the world today is facing crises that no single country can overcome alone, Emine Erdoğan continued her speech as follows: "The foundations of the values and institutions that hold us together as humanity have never been so shaken in recent history. Unfortunately, we are not holding this meeting in a peaceful environment of peace, but under the dark shadow of war. Wars and conflicts continue to encircle our world like a fire that advances step by step. It is our home that is burning, our family that is burning, our common values that are burning. In an age of increasing polarization and racism, where intolerance and greed fuel hatred, it is becoming increasingly difficult to maintain peace and order. Disputes that could be resolved through diplomacy by a just and strong will are rapidly evolving into hot conflicts."

"THE WORLD NEEDS FAIR, COURAGEOUS AND EQUITABLE LEADERS NOW MORE THAN EVER"

Emine Erdoğan said that the same bitter cries are rising from Syria, Iraq, Yemen, Sudan, Palestine and many other conflict zones.

Pointing out that innocent souls who left their homes behind in order to survive were cruelly slaughtered in the places where they took shelter, Emine Erdoğan said that all kinds of violence inflicted irreparable wounds on the tiny hearts of children.

Pointing out that all the conscientious people of the world are shouting "immediate ceasefire, immediate peace" with a unified voice, Emine Erdoğan continued as follows: "We are now at such a point that we have exhausted all the words that can be said. The last word that could be said was uttered by Hind Rajab, a 6-year-old Palestinian girl, when she called for help while under crossfire. 'Please save me,' she said. We could not save her, nor her family, nor the medical teams that went to help her at the risk of their lives. Aaron Bushnell, whose possibility of being a part of the genocide was too much for the dignity of human existence, passed away shouting the last words that could be said. 'I will not be a partner in this genocide,' he said, because the cruelty was too much for his conscience. He was the same age, in the spring of his life, as Rachel Corrie, who perished under the Israeli demolition vehicles. At this point when words are exhausted, we have to keep the hope for peace alive and increase our efforts for peace. The world needs fair, courageous and just leaders today more than ever. I believe that when brave people who believe in peace join forces, we will break the spiral of violence and achieve peace and a peaceful order with this unity of power."

"WE CAN STRAIGHTEN THE WAIST OF HUMANITY BENT BY OPPRESSION BY NOT DISCRIMINATING AMONG THE OPPRESSED"

Emine Erdoğan said that although all groups have been affected by the war, women in particular have been disproportionately affected.

Pointing out that women deeply affected by war have a lot to say for peace, Emine Erdoğan said: "Women who have seen the home they built with great care burn to ashes, who have seen the pain of their children, who have been forced to leave the lands where they have taken root, know the value of peace better than anyone else. In this regard, 24 years ago, a global will was put forward and the participation of women in peace processes was guaranteed by the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325. However, unfortunately, we see that women, who are the primary victims of conflict and the main actors in the construction of societies, are not effectively included in mediation and peace processes. However, research shows that when women are involved in the process, the likelihood of reconciliation increases and peace becomes more durable. Women's nature to cooperate and work together with different groups and their sensitivity to social issues increase the chances of success in peace processes. We must not forget that lasting and sustainable peace comes from a process in which no one is left behind. In particular, a peace process that does not include women, who are a fundamental and transformative part of society, cannot be expected to succeed. Therefore, we need to make sure that women are at the decision-making table when we promote diplomacy."

Emine Erdoğan emphasized that she wholeheartedly believes that in a war-weary age, peace that will be established with a woman's perspective will be more inclusive, sustainable and equitable.

"I WISH FOR A JUST WORLD WHERE CHILDREN ARE NOT LEFT TO DIE"

Pointing out that the movements in Palestine, Ukraine, Syria and Yemen, which have come to the forefront with the goal of peace, are empowered by women, Emine Erdoğan said: "As the wives of leaders, we and all women at the decision-making level have responsibilities in this sense. In this context, in cooperation with Mrs. Olena Zelenska, the wife of the President of Ukraine, we are hosting nearly 1,500 Ukrainian war-victim children and their companions in our country. Among this group, our Crimean Tatar children, who are among us today, will remind us again that love and hope are one language with the songs they will sing. Similarly, we are hosting children who are victims of war, whom we recently brought from Gaza for their treatment. We believe that by not discriminating between the oppressed, we can straighten the waist of humanity that has been twisted by cruelty."

"We will never give in to those who try to reduce the international system of law and justice, which was won at great cost, to a few written statements by tearing it away from its spirit," Emine Erdoğan said: "How can we remain silent when these principles, which are the guarantee of our human coexistence, are bent and twisted according to the country that committed the crime and the nationality of the oppressed? I would like to ask here, on what grounds can the world leaders, who marched arm in arm in Paris when 25 people were killed, remain silent today when 30 thousand people, mostly women and children, are brutally massacred? Civilized countries, which are supposed to save children, women and innocent people, have surrendered to this terrible darkness to the extent that they cannot even call for a ceasefire. How many more lives will be sacrificed for Israel's so-called victimization? How many thousands of Palestinians will have to die to awaken the anger and pain in the conscience caused by the loss of 25 European lives? The pages of history will also record the peace activists who courageously stood against this shameful genocide."

Emine Erdoğan expressed her gratitude to all the countries, especially the Republic of South Africa, that have taken steps for the realization of rights and justice.

Recalling that last November, 20 wives of leaders and country representatives came together for the same purpose at the "One Heart for Palestine Summit", Emine Erdoğan said, "I would like to express my gratitude once again to my sisters who accepted my invitation and took a strong stand for the just cause of the oppressed. Before concluding my remarks, I would like to congratulate everyone who contributed to this precious organization, especially our Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and thank you all once again for your participation in our session. I wish a just world where wars are replaced by an inclusive peace order and, most importantly, where children are not left to die."

Activist Tawakkul Karman, Ivana Zivkovic, Vice President and Regional Director for Turkey at the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), Bineta Diop, Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission on Women, Peace and Security, Desislava Radeva, wife of the President of Bulgaria and Tamara Vucic, wife of the President of Serbia also addressed the participants.

Emine Erdoğan's speech was followed by a dance performance by a folklore troupe consisting of Ukrainian and Crimean Tatar children who are war victims hosted by Turkey. Emine Erdoğan and the leaders' spouses then visited the Bulletproof Dreams: Gaza Child Artists Exhibition and the Africa stand.

Emine Erdoğan and the leaders' spouses took a souvenir photo with Ukrainian and Crimean Tatar children who performed folklore.

02.03.2024