Turkey's family minister voices opposition to 'indefinite' alimony payments

Women demonstrating for preservation of alimony payments. (Photo: csgorsselarsiv.org/File) 

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Minister of Family and Social Services Mahinur Özdemir-Göktaş has expressed her opposition to providing indefinite alimony to divorced women.

During a visit to a nursing home in Ankara today, Özdemir-Göktaş told reporters, "It is unacceptable to have a practice of paying indefinite alimony. If there is a grievance, we need to overcome it. If a man is the one who is aggrieved, we will support him as well. We aim to work on this issue in coordination with other ministries."

Alimony payments have been a topic of controversy and campaign by various conservative groups for years, often advocating for limiting alimony payments to specific durations.

Law on violence against women

Regarding Law No. 6284 on Combating Violence Against Women, which some groups supporting the government call for it to be abolished, the minister said that some women do not want this law to be implemented.

"Unfortunately, at times, our women do not want us to implement Law No. 6284. Not because they are afraid, but because they say, 'I love my husband.' Therefore, we need to be very sensitive. The law should not be changed. However, if there is an error in implementation, it should be addressed."

"No such thing as indefinite alimony"

Canan Göllü, head of the Federation of Women's Associations of Turkey (TKDF), responded to the minister's statements, noting that the person paying alimony has the right to object, and the term "indefinite alimony" is not accurate.

Güllü said, "The payer can object, saying, 'I found a job for my divorced spouse, but she did not work, she wanted to live off my money,' or 'My spouse has a very good financial situation, while I am only earning the minimum wage and [I cannot pay alimony].' They can exercise their right to object."

Güllü also highlighted that the average monthly alimony payments in Turkey are only 360 lira (~$13 US dollars) and asserted that the real issue is "the inability of the women to receive alimony."

"Detached from reality"

Aylin Nazlıaka, head of the Women's Branch of the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP), made similar comments, saying, "There is no such thing as indefinite alimony. There are conditions for the termination of alimony. For example, if the recipient finds a job or remarries" during a broadcast on Cumhuriyet newspaper's YouTube channel.

She further cited a study by the Women's Solidarity Foundation, which found that only half of divorced women request alimony, and even among those who request it, only half actually receive alimony payments.

Nazlıaka also criticized the minister's remarks about the Law no 6284, saying, "The purpose of this law is to encourage victims because it is very difficult for a woman to expose violence or harassment. The minister is so detached from all these realities that instead of standing by the victims, she seems to stand by the culprits.

" I am constantly on the field, and our domestic violence hotline receives calls every day. The statements she claims to have heard do not match what we have observed." (EMK/VK)