Minister welcomes '16-fold increase in the number of children staying with foster families'

* Photo and news: Anadolu Agency (AA)

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Family and Social Services Minister Derya Yanık made a presentation during the 2022 budget talks for the Ministry which began at the Parliamentary Commission on Planning and Budgetary yesterday (November 10).

Yanık announced that the number of children staying with foster families increased by 16 times in the last 19 years.

According to the information shared by Minister Derya Yanık, the number of children staying with foster families was 515 in 2002, when the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) came to power. As of September 2021, this number increased to 8 thousand 242.

"This result is the joy and achievement of us all," said Yanık.

Recalling that June 30, which marks the establishment of the Ankara Association for Protection of Children, is declared the "Foster Family Day", Yanık said that "in 2021, 338 children were adopted and as of September 2021, the number of adopted children reached 18 thousand 234."

Yanık also announced that a study on divorce would be conducted across Turkey in 2022. She indicated that the Ministry launched the fourth Family Structure of Turkey Research (TAYA) and the third Adolescent Profile of Turkey Research (TEPA) as of 2021, adding that the results of these two studies would also be shared with the public next year, in 2022.

She said, "While the third University Youth Profile of Turkey Research (TÜGPA) will also be carried out in 2022, there will also be a quantitative research on divorce to find out the reasons for divorce."

She noted that "with these studies, they follow sociological change and transformation" to specify the "service areas and new social policies to concentrate on" by analyzing the effects of the Ministry's services. (AÖ/SD)