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Emine Erdoğan
Emine Erdoğan in Hamburg, Germany, July 2017 (cropped).jpg
Erdoğan in 2017
First Lady of Turkey
Current
Assumed role
28 August 2014
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan
Preceded by Hayrünnisa Gül
Personal details
Born
Emine Gülbaran

(1955-02-16) 16 February 1955 (age 70)
Üsküdar, Istanbul, Turkey
Political party Justice and Development Party
Spouse
(m. 1978)
Children
  • Ahmet
  • Bilal
  • Esra
  • Sümeyye
Relatives
(sons-in-law)
Residence Presidential Complex (official)
Signature

Emine Erdoğan (born Emine Gülbaran on 16 February 1955) is the current First Lady of Turkey. She is married to Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, who is the President of Turkey.

About Emine Erdoğan

Her Early Life

Emine Erdoğan was born in Üsküdar, a district in Istanbul, Turkey. She was the fifth child and only daughter of Cemal and Hayriye Gülbaran. Her family originally came from Siirt and has Arab roots.

She went to Istanbul Mithatpaşa Vocational Evening School for Girls. Even though she didn't finish school, she was very active in social groups from a young age. She helped start a group called the "Idealist Women’s Association." She also followed events organized by other student and women's foundations. During this time, she met Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

Her Family Life

Emine Gülbaran and Recep Tayyip Erdoğan got married on 4 July 1978. They have four children together: Ahmet Burak, Necmettin Bilal, Esra, and Sümeyye.

Her Work in Politics and Society

Michelle Obama and Emine Erdogan
Emine Erdoğan meeting with Michelle Obama at the White House in December 2009.
Visita de Estado del señor Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Presidente de la República de Turquía. (16515036175)
Emine Erdoğan with Mexican First Lady Angélica Rivera in Mexico, February 2015.

Emine Erdoğan was a founding member of the women's branch of a political party in Istanbul. She helped women become more involved in politics in Turkey. She started a women's movement that helped her husband's party succeed in the 1994 elections.

After her husband became the Mayor of Istanbul, she worked on many projects to help society. She helped start a tradition of "iftar tables," where people from different backgrounds, rich and poor, could share meals together. This tradition is still carried on by local governments today.

In 2005, Emine Erdoğan helped create the "Center for Social Development" (TOGEM). This center supports projects that focus on educating women and children.

She also led a campaign with the wives of governors from all over Turkey. This campaign aimed to improve the lives of women, the elderly, and families of soldiers. This project even won an award for public relations and was recognized by the United Nations. Emine Erdoğan has continued to support this project since 2012.

After conflicts in Gaza in 2009, she invited the wives of leaders from Western and Arab countries. She asked everyone to help "stop the war." In 2012, she personally traveled to Myanmar to see the situation there and provide humanitarian aid, even though it was a dangerous area.

Emine Erdoğan has also actively spoken out against child marriage. She has clearly stated that "Forced child marriage is clearly unacceptable under any conditions."

Important Projects She Supports

Voluntary Envoys

Trần Thị Nguyệt Thu, Angélica Rivera, Emine Erdoğan, and Juliana Awada in Hamburg, July 2017
Emine Erdoğan with Vietnamese First Lady Nguyệt Thu, Mexican First Lady Angélica Rivera, and Argentine First Lady Juliana Awada in July 2017.
Emine Erdoğan in Tatarstan 2024
Emine Erdoğan visiting the Märcani Mosque in Kazan, Tatarstan, October 2024.

The "Voluntary Envoys in Social Development Project" (Gönül Elçileri) is a project supported by Emine Erdoğan. It focuses on encouraging people to volunteer and help with social development. This project started in 2012 and includes programs like "Protective Family Service" and "Vocational Training for Women."

Come On Girls, Let's Go To School

With the Ministry of National Education, Emine Erdoğan launched a nationwide campaign called "Come on Girls, Let's Go to School" (Haydi Kızlar Okula). This project aims to help girls aged 6-14 who are not in school to get an education. It works with UNICEF and other organizations to ensure all girls have the chance to go to primary school.

Mothers and Daughters at School

Emine Erdoğan continued her efforts in education with the "Mothers and Daughters at School" campaign (Ana-Kız Okuldayız). This campaign, which she named herself, started in 2008. It helps young girls and women who are older than the usual school age and haven't had the chance to get an education.

7 Is Too Late

The "7 is too late" campaign (7 Çok Geç) works to show how important early childhood education is for children aged 0-6. The goal is to make sure every child in Turkey can get pre-school education.

Prolific Forests

On March 21, 2015, which is the International Day of Forests, the "Prolific Forests" project (Bereket Ormanları) began. This project aims to plant more trees and expand green areas in Turkey, making good use of the country's forests.

I Protect My Future

The "I Protect My Future" project (Geleceğimi Koruyorum) teaches new generations about protecting earth and water resources. This project started in 30 cities and helps children learn about soil, seeds, and plants.

African Handicrafts Market and Culture House

The "African Handicrafts Market and Culture House" project (Afrika El Sanatları Pazarı ve Kültür Evi) helps African women by selling their handmade products. The money earned helps with education and healthcare for these women. It also helps people learn more about African cultures and strengthens the relationship between Turkey and Africa.

Zero Waste

The "Zero Waste" Project (Sıfır Atık) aims to prevent waste, reduce the amount of trash, and encourage waste recycling. It also works to set up good systems for collecting waste. Emine Erdoğan is the first head of the United Nations Advisory Board of Eminent Persons on Zero Waste, which shares ideas globally on how to reduce waste.

Awards and Recognition

Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and George Papandreou, Greece May 2010 12
The Erdoğans with Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou and his wife in Greece, May 2010.

On 7 December 2010, the Prime Minister of Pakistan, Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani, gave Emine Erdoğan the Pakistani award "Nishan-e-Pakistan." This was to recognize her efforts to help people in Pakistan who were affected by floods. In October 2010, Emine Erdoğan visited Pakistan to see the damage from the floods and helped raise a lot of money for the flood victims.

On 16 February 2011, Emine Erdoğan received the "Prix de la Fondation" award from the Crans Montana Forum in Brussels.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Emine Erdoğan para niños

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