Minister of Family and Social Services Mahinur Özdemir Göktaş stated, "For the Ministry, early  forced marriage is an issue that can never be accepted and that we will never compromise as the Ministry."

Minister Mahinur Özdemir Göktaş answered Anadolu Agency's (AA) questions about the work of the Ministry at the Nasreddin Hodja House before the 64th International Akşehir Nasreddin Hodja Festivities in Akşehir, Konya.

Stating that it was her first visit to Konya after being appointed as the Minister of Family and Social Services by the President of the Republic of Türkiye, Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Göktaş expressed that she was in Akşehir on the occasion of the 64th International Akşehir Nasreddin Hodja Festivities.

Expressing that she had watched these festivities during her childhood, Göktaş added, "Today, it is a special form of happiness and satisfaction for me to participate in this program as a Minister. We are currently at the Nasreddin Hodja House. Akşehir Municipality restored it. It has been a great legacy. This will be an important point for both locals of Akşehir and everyone in the world who recognizes Nasreddin Hodja."

"Following the call of the girl, teams immediately took action"

Minister Göktaş responded to a question about the call on social media regarding the forced marriage of a 15-year-old child:

"For the Ministry, early forced marriage is an issue that can never be accepted and that we will never compromise as the Ministry. Speaking of early marriages, we need to get these concepts right. Early marriage for the government is marriages at the age of 16, and 17. As you know, a court order is currently required for marriages at the age of 16. At 17, a legal family consent is required. The age we are fighting against is 16 and 17 years old as early marriage. Below that, i.e. 15 years old and below, is an age rate that we absolutely cannot accept, that we absolutely do not compromise, that we do not even bring up for discussion."

Emphasizing that the Ministry evaluated all kinds of notifications and never leaves them unanswered, Göktaş continued as follows:

"We also have a browsing network. Therefore, when words about harassment and violence come up, whether on social media or in conventional media, they are caught on our browsing network, and we, as the Ministry, take this issue very seriously. About the yesterday's issue, following the call of the girl, teams immediately took action. The provincial director identified the address in Niğde and informed the gendarmerie. We also followed it very closely as the Ministry. I can also make it very clear that all the institutions involved in the issue quickly rescued the child from a situation she did not want to be involved. Let the citizens be very sure about this that we, I, and the Ministry personally will be very close followers of the situation. We have been involved in and will follow the legal process closely. In addition, we will do whatever is necessary for those who allowed this to happen within the framework of the law."

40 Billion liras of support for 3.7 million households in the last 12 months

 Göktaş, who also provided information about the Family Support Program, said that the citizens showed great countenance to the program.

Minister Göktaş stated that the program was normally a 12-month assistance package.

Stating that pensioners, widows, orphans, and seasonal workers, except public personnel, were also included in the scope of support, Göktaş pointed out that the reason why the program attracted so much attention among citizens was its inclusiveness.

Minister Göktaş stated that the scope of the Family Support Program was further increased with the addition of the children and electricity consumption component, and added that the Ministry provided a total of 40 billion liras of support to 3.7 million households in the last 12 months.

Emphasizing that the Family Support Program would be continued for another year and that the Ministry would continue to provide support to the citizens within the scope, Göktaş said, "With Mr. President's announcement, we have received very positive feedback from the citizens following the cabinet."

"This project has been a beacon of hope for every young person who wants to realize their dreams"

 Minister Göktaş also stated that there was an expectation that social supports would be updated according to current conditions:

"I can share the good news that, as Mr. President pointed out, today, after the Ministry of Treasury and Finance determined the exact rate of increase in public personnel salaries, we will also increase some of our social support programs. And what supports will it cover? Let me share it with you, too. Elderly pension, disability pension, disability care pension, silicosis pension, support programs for chronic diseases and survivors benefits will be affected by these increases."

Stating that one of the most important election promises was the establishment of the Family and Youth Bank, Göktaş added that the Ministry fulfilled their promises as AK Parti government for 21 years.

 "The work of the Ministry on the Family and Youth Bank continues"

 Pointing out that the Ministry were working on the promises regarding the Family and Youth Bank, Göktaş continued as follows:

""There is, of course, more than one stakeholder in this issue. In other words, the issue does not only concern the Ministry of Family and Social Services. It also concerns different Ministries. We have started our work on the aspect that concerns the Ministry. We will, of course, share this program with the public after the other stakeholders finish their activities. I would like to express that this project has certainly been a beacon of hope for every young person who wants to realize their dreams. As you know, there is a support of up to 150.000 liras. It includes a two-year grace period followed by 4 years of repayment with no interest. Mr. President cares very deeply about the issue. We are also continuing the activities on our part."

 "We will also share the projects that will be supported next month with the public"

 Minister Göktaş reminded that the Elderly Support Program (YADES) was one of the first support programs with the largest budget in ageing.

Stating that the program aimed to enable older persons to age both actively and healthily by continuing to live with their families and that the Ministry supported projects in the field, Göktaş added: "We have received applications from 15 provinces and 33 districts, which corresponds to a total of 48 projects. The evaluation process will be completed and we will share the projects to be supported with the public next month."