Finland Times

Turkish Minister for Family and Social Policy Fatma Şahin arrives Thursday in Helsinki on a three-day visit, a government press release said on Wednesday.

 

Şahin is scheduled to hold meetings with Culture and Sport Minister Paavo Arhinmäki, Social Affairs and Health Minister Paula Risikko, Health and Social Services Minister Maria Guzenina-Richardson, International Development Minister Heidi Hautala, and Labour Minister Lauri Ihalainen during her stay in Finland.

 

The Turkish minister will discuss various issues, including reconciliation of work and family life, women entrepreneurship, violence against women, and care services for the old, with the Finnish ministers and will be informed about Finnish experiences and models of operations.

 

Şahin is the only female member of the Turkish cabinet. She holds a portfolio whose sphere of responsibilities includes improving the rights of and services for families, children, old people, people with disabilities, and various other special groups.

 

Besides making relevant legislations, the Turkish government has increased financing social programmes focused on health and education.

 

In Turkey, gender equality issues are up for discussion in society and several non-governmental organisations are active in this sector. The ministry led by Şahin is faced with considerable challenges in its endeavours to improve the status of women, to change the attitudes in society, and to reduce regional inequalities, the press release said.