Zeliha Sağlam has been appointed as the Director General of Child Services in accordance with the decision published in the Official Gazette with the signature of the President, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. Sağlam has taken over the duty from Dr. Orhan Koç.

-We will continue to work and produce for children in our country

Speaking at the handover held with the participation of administrators in the meeting hall of the directorate, Sağlam reminded that during her tenure as Head of Strategy Development, they carried out many activities in the field of children together with the unit. She said, “We followed the actions in the higher policy documents together with Directorate General of Child Services, we worked together on various subjects in the field of children. Hopefully, from now on, we will continue to produce new works for children in our country with excitement and determination.”

Stating that she had the opportunity to work in the field of children on various platforms throughout her career, Sağlam said, “I served as the Head of Strategy Development for two years with the appreciation of our Minister and the approval of our President. I would like to thank the Minister for her goal-oriented motivation with her vision. During this process, we will fulfill our duties in the best way and work together with all of my colleagues to expand our services. I am glad that I took over the duty from Orhan Koç, our Director General who is successful in his field. From now on, we will carry out joint projects related to the services of our Ministry by making good works and provincial visits together.”

-We will realize new projects together

Delivering the duty to Sağlam, Dr. Orhan Koç said, “Ms. Zeliha is a hardworking friend of ours whom we know for her successful work in the Department of Strategy Development. I am happy to leave this duty I took over eight months ago to her. As Ms. Zeliha also said, I hope we will have many new works together.”

After the handover ceremony, both directors general gave each other flowers and wished success.

Who is Zeliha Sağlam?

Born in 1976, Zeliha SAĞLAM graduated from the Department of Political Science and International Relations of International Islamic University Malaysia. After her undergraduate education, she completed her master's degree in Middle East Research Institute of Marmara University with the thesis on "Palestinian Refugees in Lebanon".

She worked as a researcher in International Non-Governmental Organizations between 2007-2014.

In 2014, she respectively worked as the coordinator of Projects and External Services, the director of Projects and External Services, the director of Strategy and Research-Development in Turkiye Diyanet Foundation.

She studied on International Project Management, EFQM Excellence Model and strategic plans of organizations.

She was the chairwoman of "Turkish Alumni Association of Islamic University Malaysia" from 2012 until 2015 besides her working life.

While participating in many projects regarding educational activities, especially on women and children, she was involved in various humanitarian aid projects.

She took part in the organizing committee of many national and international meetings on human rights and refugees.

Zeliha SAĞLAM, who started working as the Minister Counselor in the Ministry of Family, Labour and Social Services, then served as the Head of Strategy Development in this Ministry for two years.

Ms. Sağlam, who was appointed as the Director General of Child Services on January 9, 2021, has a good command of English.