Fifth National Action Plan on Combating Violence Against Women (2026–2030)

Fifth National Action Plan on Combating Violence Against Women (2026–2030) is the fifth national policy document prepared in Türkiye to prevent violence against women. The plan was adopted by the Presidential Circular dated 24 November 2025 and numbered 2025/19, signed by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

The Action Plan aims to “Prevent All Forms of Violence Against Women Through the Principle of Zero Tolerance Toward Violence”. To this end, it is based on an intersectional and holistic strategic framework and assigns various roles and responsibilities to public institutions, local governments, universities, civil society organizations and the private sector. Coordination of the plan is carried out by the Ministry of Family and Social Services.

The Action Plan was published in the Official Gazette’s issue dated 25 November 2025 and numbered 33088. Its entry into force took effect as of 25 November 2025, and the implementation period will begin on 1 January 2026.

Logo of the Ministry of Family and Social Services - (Ministry of Family and Social Services Official Website)

Background and Previous Action Plans

Since 2007, four national action plans have been implemented in Türkiye to define policy priorities in combating violence against women. These plans were implemented within a framework of cooperation involving public institutions, universities, civil society organizations and international bodies. The Fourth National Action Plan covering the period 2021–2025 has reached the end of its implementation phase, and preparations for the fifth plan covering the new period were completed following this process.

The Presidential Circular states that the experiences gained so far through determined and comprehensive cooperation in this field have served as the foundation for constructing the new plan. It is stated that the new plan provides a framework that is “centered on current needs and outlines the vision for 2026–2030”.

Preparation Process

The Fifth National Action Plan on Combating Violence Against Women was prepared under the coordination of the Ministry of Family and Social Services, with contributions from relevant institutions and organizations. Within the Ministry, the General Directorate of Women’s Status served as the technical lead for the plan. The process involved representatives from public institutions, universities, local governments, international organizations, civil society organizations and the private sector.

During the preparation process, comprehensive document analyses were conducted, including international instruments and country examples. Views and recommendations regarding the new period were collected through a “Strategic Stakeholder Survey” directed at public institutions and organizations, universities, international bodies and civil society organizations, as well as a “Staff Opinion Survey” targeting personnel working in women’s services at provincial offices.

During the preparation of the plan, “Regional Consultation Meetings on Women’s Services” were held in provinces designated to represent Türkiye’s seven geographic regions. These meetings enabled the analysis of local dynamics and enriched the policy-making process. Additionally, focus group discussions were conducted with the participation of all service units of the Ministry, external public institutions and international organization representatives.

Scope and Core Principles

The Fifth National Action Plan on Combating Violence Against Women constitutes a national roadmap for the period 2026–2030. Its purpose is defined as “Preventing All Forms of Violence Against Women Through the Principle of Zero Tolerance Toward Violence”.

The Presidential Circular states that the plan was developed within a “cross-cutting and holistic strategic framework”. In this context, the plan assigns various roles and responsibilities to public institutions and organizations, universities, local governments, civil society organizations and the private sector.

Minister of Family and Social Services Mahinur Özdemir Göktaş stated: “We have prepared our new action plan to respond to the threats women face today, including digital violence, and to the risks of the future.”

The plan is designed as a framework aimed at implementing data-driven, measurable and community-based policies. In this direction, it states: “This strategic framework, which aims for a society free from violence against women, has been firmly grounded in a multi-layered, inclusive and evidence-based process reflecting the collective will of all state institutions, local governments, civil society and academia”.

Implementation Mechanism and Institutional Responsibilities

The Presidential Circular stipulates that relevant institutions and organizations must integrate the strategies and activities outlined in the Action Plan into their own plans, programs and budgets in order to achieve its objectives and strategic goals.

Inter-institutional coordination for the implementation of the Action Plan will be ensured by the General Directorate of Women’s Status under the Ministry of Family and Social Services. According to the Circular, monitoring and evaluation processes of the plan will be conducted through a monitoring system established by the Ministry. Institutions and organizations are obligated to “enter their activities related to their assigned tasks into the monitoring system according to the procedures determined by the Ministry”.

It is also stipulated that annual monitoring reports prepared by the Ministry will be submitted to the Presidency and simultaneously published on the Ministry’s official website.

Promotion and Public Announcement

The Fifth National Action Plan on Combating Violence Against Women will be officially announced to the public on 25 November 2025 at the Beştepe National Congress and Culture Center, with the participation of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. The event is planned to be held within the framework of the “International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women”. During the event, an introductory film and public service announcement reflecting the plan’s vision will be presented.