Turkey encourages thriving family structures by funding women's personal growth and development
Turkey's Family Support Centers (ADEM) are playing a vital role in empowering women and strengthening families across the country. These centers, which serve as community hubs, offer a range of services and initiatives aimed at holistic development.
In 2025, around 60,000 women benefited from the 559 ADEM centers across Turkey, reflecting the government's emphasis on the theme “strong women, strong families, strong Türkiye.” These centers act as vital community hubs aimed at both empowering women and reinforcing family stability to foster social justice and national progress.
The services provided by ADEM centers are diverse and comprehensive. They offer free training, education, and social support tailored to women of all backgrounds. Programs are designed to enhance women's psychosocial well-being, cultural engagement, vocational training, and personal growth. Early childhood support, including nursery and playrooms, is provided to facilitate access for women with young children.
Services are delivered by professional staff from the Ministry of Family and Social Services and partner public institutions. Structured courses, workshops, and counseling sessions are led to help women develop new skills and build confidence.
The ADEM centers also operate under the theme of the 2025 Year of the Family and are guided by the principle "strong women, strong families, strong Türkiye." Vocational programs are provided through cooperation with local Public Education Centers, offering skills such as textile work, food production, digital literacy, and entrepreneurship.
Minister of Family and Social Services Mahinur Özdemir Göktaş emphasized the significance of empowering women in all spheres of life. Göktaş stated that the goal is to see more women actively contributing to and benefiting from the economy.
The ADEM network will continue expanding in line with local needs and demand. In 2025, the ministry aims to reach even more women than the current 60,000. Many participants go on to sell their handmade products at community bazaars organized by the centers, enabling them to generate income and build financial independence.
Citizens interested in participating in the free courses and programs can visit their nearest ADEM center to apply. The centers are not just places for training, but spaces for empowerment, community, and opportunity.
In addition, the Zero Waste initiative has been adopted in ADEM centers as part of a broader effort to promote environmental responsibility at the household level. A partnership was launched with the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change to integrate the Zero Waste initiative into social services. The ministry is working to instill zero waste awareness in every home.
These Family Support Centers are a testament to Turkey's commitment to women's empowerment and family well-being. By providing comprehensive services and fostering a supportive community, ADEM centers are helping to create a brighter future for women and families in Turkey.
[1] Source: Ministry of Family and Social Services, Turkey, 2025.
- The 2025 Year of the Family in Turkey sees the ADEM centers serving as community hubs, offering diverse and comprehensive services such as education, vocational training, psychosocial support, and early childhood care for women of all backgrounds.
- A key objective of the ADEM centers is to empower women, with the Minister of Family and Social Services emphasizing the significance of women contributing to and benefiting from the economy.
- The ADEM network, which has expanded to 559 centers across Turkey, aims to reach more women in 2025, offering courses and programs in areas like textile work, food production, digital literacy, entrepreneurship, and more.
- In addition to their traditional services, the ADEM centers incorporate the Zero Waste initiative, partnering with the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change to teach citizens about environmental responsibility at home as part of a broader effort for a sustainable future.
