15.08.2026 16:10
Answering the questions of Haberler.com Editor-in-Chief Attorney Bedia Teymur at the AK Party's 25th Anniversary Program, AK Party Deputy Chairman and Head of Environment and Urban Policies Nilhan Ayan emphasized the importance of women's role in the AK Party, saying, 'If the AK Party had a gender, what would it be? Believe me, it would be female. We have women who go door to door, street to street for the AK Party. We have moved the position of women from one place to another. Our women are now everywhere.'
The 25th anniversary of the AK Party, which entered Turkish political life on August 14, 2001, under the leadership of President and AK Party Chairman Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, was celebrated with a program held at the Capital City National Garden.
Nilhan Ayan, AK Party Deputy Chairman and Head of Environment and Urbanization Policies, who took part in the program, made statements to Haberler.com Editor-in-Chief Av. Bedia Teymur. Ayan explained the secret of the AK Party's long-standing power with these words: "The secret is trusting the will of the nation, working for the nation's favor, and experiencing the nation-state solidarity."
"THIS IS THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY FOR ALL OF US"
Drawing attention to the enthusiasm at the program, Ayan said, "There was such great enthusiasm outside that we could hardly hear each other. Because this is the 25th anniversary for all of us. When we came together, we said, 'How should we celebrate our birthday? We should celebrate it just as we came.'"
Stating that the AK Party has walked the path together with the nation, Ayan said, "We came with our nation, we said we should celebrate this enthusiasm together with our nation, and our organizations from all 81 provinces came here in droves, those who devoted their hearts to the AK Party came."
Ayan emphasized that the AK Party is not just a political entity, saying, "The AK Party represents the will of the nation that emerged after the collapse of a great ideology and guardianship. For all of us, the AK Party means a sense of belonging. Therefore, the AK Party is not a party that has achieved its position merely through political successes."
"WE NEVER LOOK AT POLLS"
Stating that they focus on long-term goals rather than polls when determining political targets, Ayan also drew attention to the 2053 goals. Ayan said, "We never look at polls. We only set goals. We outline what we will do within 25 years. Today, we are also setting goals for the future. For example, we have set a net zero emission target for 2053. We also have a target to recycle 70 percent of our waste by 2053."
"THE AK PARTY IS A WOMEN'S ORGANIZATION"
Stating that the AK Party is almost a women's organization, Ayan said, "The AK Party is actually a women's initiative, a women's organization. If you asked me, 'If the AK Party had a gender, what would it be?' I swear it would be female." Ayan said that within the scope of party activities, women work with great dedication, going door to door, street by street.
Stating that women undertake important responsibilities in the party, Ayan said, "We have women who work wholeheartedly for the AK Party, leaving their homes and their children." Ayan argued that the AK Party is important not only for Turkey but also for the oppressed in different parts of the world, and therefore women work intensively in the field for the AK Party.
Ayan continued her remarks as follows:
"Today, looking back, the education of our girls has increased tenfold in 25 years. Our women are now everywhere. Today, they can become pashas. You know, in the past, the guardianship forces had also divided our women. They were so used to dividing and partitioning Turkey. But today, at this point we have reached, we can utilize the full potential of women in Turkey.
Today, when you look, all our sisters who cover their heads to fulfill the requirements of their religion can attend the schools they have earned and can work wherever they wish. I am even ashamed to say this. Of course they should have been able to. It was the AK Party and Recep Tayyip Erdoğan that demolished this dark mentality.
Therefore, the role of women in the AK Party is very important. Women will continue to engage in politics within the AK Party for their own democratic rights."