23.06.2026 19:20
AK Party Women's Branch Chair and Istanbul Deputy Tuğba Işık Ercan made important statements within the scope of the "ALLY for Future Leadership Program," which brings together young Muslim women leaders from different countries. Addressing many critical topics from sustainability to the role of women in the age of artificial intelligence, from rights reforms in Türkiye to global environmental movements, Ercan emphasized the strategic role of women's leadership in building the future, delivering striking messages to the world.
The Head of AK Party Women's Branch and Istanbul Deputy Tuğba Işık Ercan took part as a speaker at an important summit that resonated internationally.
Taking the stage within the scope of the "ALLY for Future Leadership Program", organized by the Ministry of Family and Social Services and bringing together young Muslim women leaders from all over the world, Ercan read the codes of global transformation through women's leadership.
During the program held on the occasion of the "International Day of Women Diplomats" declared by the United Nations, Ercan drew attention to the strategic role of women in building the future in the axis of sustainability, technology, leadership, and diplomacy, and made a visionary call to her young colleagues.
"BARRIERS IN FRONT OF WOMEN HAVE BEEN REMOVED ONE BY ONE"
Sharing striking examples from her own education and life story in her speech, Tuğba Işık Ercan recalled the severe obstacles faced by veiled women in education and work life and stated that Turkey has carried out a silent revolution in the field of women's rights and equal opportunity in recent years. Ercan said, “Under the leadership of our President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, the barriers limiting women's participation in public life have been largely removed. Thanks to the reforms carried out, especially the lifting of the headscarf ban, our women are present more strongly in every field from education to politics, from entrepreneurship to public administration.”
"THE EMPOWERMENT OF WOMEN IS THE EMPOWERMENT OF SOCIETIES"
Addressing the vital role of women in sustainable development, Ercan stated that sustainability is not only an environmental topic but also an area of economic, technological, and social transformation. Emphasizing that women have historically been the strongest carriers of families, communities, and resource management, Ercan said, “When a woman changes, the family changes; when the family changes, society changes; when society changes, countries transform. Therefore, women are not just stakeholders of sustainable development, but its architects.”
EMINE ERDOĞAN AND ZERO WASTE EMPHASIS
In her speech, Ercan also made a special mention of the Zero Waste Movement initiated under the leadership of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's wife, Emine Erdoğan, stating that this initiative has transcended the limits of a local environmental project and become a global brand. Ercan said, “The Zero Waste Movement, launched by Ms. Emine Erdoğan, has turned into a global success story that is now on the agenda of United Nations platforms and supported by international cooperation. This approach represents not only the protection of the environment but also our responsibility towards future generations.”
"WOMEN MUST ABSOLUTELY BE PART OF THE FUTURE OF TECHNOLOGY"
Stating that women's genius must be made more visible in the age of digital transformation and artificial intelligence, Ercan drew attention to the importance of increased representation of women in STEM fields, engineering, data science, cybersecurity, and AI studies. Noting that women in Turkey have achieved revolutionary successes in critical areas from the defense industry to advanced technology projects, Ercan said women should be actors who not only consume technology but also produce and manage the technologies of the future.
"WITH OUR 6 MILLION MEMBERS, WE CARRY THE POWER OF WOMEN INTO THE FUTURE"
Also touching on the global scale and activities of the AK Party Women's Branch organization, Ercan did not hide her great pride in leading one of the world's largest women's political movements. Ercan said, “Our organization, which today has approximately 6 million members, carries out work in many areas from education to entrepreneurship, from social solidarity to environmental awareness. Together with our women in 81 provinces of Turkey, we contribute to social transformation and develop projects that reveal women's potential.”
MESSAGE TO YOUNG MUSLIM WOMEN LEADERS
Holding bilateral meetings with young talents from different geographies within the program, Ercan reminded the young people in the hall that they are the future diplomats, scientists, entrepreneurs, and decision-makers, and conveyed that women's intelligence is needed more than ever in solving global crises. Stating that the leadership women will undertake in diplomacy, technology, and sustainability will play a key role in building a more just world, Ercan called on young women to believe in their own potential.
Tuğba Işık Ercan ended her speech, which received great applause, with these words:
“Women are not waiting to be included in the future; they are already building it. Our responsibility is to provide them with the opportunities, self-confidence, and support they need to lead. Sustainability is possible with women. Technology is stronger with women. Diplomacy is richer with women. Leadership is fairer with women. And the future is brighter with women.”