First Lady Emine Erdoğan has practiced the spirit of philanthropy, which she inherited from her family, in all fields of her life and lent a helping hand to thousands of people. 

 

Mrs. Erdoğan launched several country-wide campaigns to encourage girls’ and women’s education and emphasize the importance of early childhood education. Mrs. Erdogan also supported the “Voluntary Envoys” project to promote volunteering in society and harmonize public services. 

 

In 2017, Mrs. Erdoğan launched the “Zero Waste” project (ZWP) in order to call attention to climate change, fight plastic pollution, and encourage sustainable waste and resource management. More recently, Mrs. Erdoğan pioneered the adoption of the Zero Waste Resolution at the UNGA presented by Türkiye and co-sponsored by 105 member countries. As a result of this resolution, March 30 is declared as International Zero Waste Day, and UNSG’s Advisory Board of Eminent Persons on Zero Waste, of which she took over as a chair, is established to promote zero waste practices worldwide.

 

Most importantly, First Lady Erdoğan has drawn global attention to the crises rising from different geographies in the world. She personally traveled to Somalia in 2011, to Myanmar in 2012 and to Rohingya refugee camps in Bangladesh in 2017 despite critical security threats and provided humanitarian aid to the region. She has made a global appeal with more than 15 leaders' spouses against the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Palestine. Also, under her leadership, Türkiye is hosting more than 1500 Ukrainian war victim children and supports various country-wide projects for disadvantaged groups, including refugees.

 

First Lady Erdoğan has been recognized for her humanitarian and volunteer efforts through several international awards.