Members of Parliament met with the Turkish community in ABD: Diaspora's problems were put on the table

The delegation of the Turkish Grand National Assembly Committee on Gender Equality (KEFEK) met with Turkish women living in the United States as part of a visit to New York. In an informal gathering held at Divan Bakery in Brooklyn, many topics were discussed, ranging from the challenges women face in politics in diaspora life to support mechanisms for women victims of domestic violence.

The meeting followed on site by U.S. Post New York Representative Özlem Özgüt Yörekli continued in a question-and-answer format after breakfast. Participants had the opportunity to address the questions they were curious about directly to the members of parliament.

Attention-Grabbing Meeting in New York

Pelin Yılık, Çiğdem Erdoğan, and Halis Dalkılıç

The meeting was attended by KEFEK Chair and AK Party Sakarya Member of Parliament Çiğdem Erdoğan, MHP Çankırı Member of Parliament Pelin Yılık, and AK Party Istanbul Member of Parliament Halis Dalkılıç.

The event also featured Zeynep Yazal, wife of Turkey’s New York Consul General Ambassador M. Ahmet Yazal, and Emine Yıldız, wife of Turkey’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Ambassador Ahmet Yıldız.

Zeynep Yazal, İlknur Hüyük and Ezgi Çıldır

The event was organized by Ezgi Çıldır, who serves at Turkey's Permanent Mission to the United Nations. NYPD TURKIC Tales Envoy to Türkiye, İlknur Hüyük, also supported the event. During the meeting, participants introduced themselves in turn and shared information about their lives and work in the United States.

Pelin Yılık: 'Living as a Diaspora Is Not Easy'

MHP MP from Çankırı, Pelin Yılık, drew attention in her speech at the meeting to the challenges faced by Turks living abroad. Yılık, who noted that diaspora life may appear different from the outside but contains many hardships within itself, congratulated Turkish people who have established lives in the United States for their effort and perseverance.

Yılık, who also introduced herself to the participants, explained that in addition to being an MP she is an academic and has served on the Turkish Grand National Assembly's Committee on Gender Equality since 2023.

Yılık, who said that her party works on social policy areas for women, people with disabilities, children and the elderly, also noted that she holds a position at the Council of Europe.

Yılık thanked the participants, expressing his satisfaction with the New York meeting and the chance to meet new people.

From Dalkılıç to the Diaspora: 'You are representing our country here at the same time.'

AK Party Istanbul MP Halis Dalkılıç also delivered messages that drew attention to the Turkish community living in the United States at the meeting. Emphasizing that diaspora members are building their own lives in America while simultaneously representing Turkey, Dalkılıç thanked the participants for their efforts.

Dalkılıç noted that Turkey is situated in a harsh geography and is engaged in an important struggle, saying that this struggle is not carried out only by politicians. He stated that everyone—from foreign missions to academics, from businesspeople to Turks living abroad—is part of this process.

'While trying to live here in America, you also have a representative side,' said Dalkılıç, congratulating diaspora members for the effort they have shown.

Dalkılıç also thanked those who contributed to the organization and the Baydar family, who hosted the meeting, expressing his satisfaction with gathering with the Turkish community in New York.

What Is KEFEK Doing? Çiğdem Erdoğan Explained

KEFEK Chair Çiğdem Erdoğan explained the commission's working system to the participants. Erdoğan said that the commission, established by a special law in 2009, has 27 members of parliament serving, and that citizens can individually apply to the commission regarding the problems they face concerning gender equality.

Describing the commission's work as the 'kitchen' of Parliament, Erdoğan said that members of parliament from different political parties work under the umbrella of KEFEK.

In Every Country We Visit, We Meet Our Citizens

Çiğdem Erdoğan said that KEFEK's overseas visits are not limited to official meetings; they also gather with Turkish citizens living in the countries visited.

She said that in these meetings they try to understand why Turks live in those countries, how to improve their living standards, and how to support the needs of their families in Turkey.

Erdoğan also said that he considered it important to bring together Turkish women who are conducting successful work abroad and to establish new communication networks.

Agenda in the Q&A: Being a Woman in Politics

In the Q&A segment that followed the program, one of the most discussed topics was the challenges women face in politics.

Çiğdem Erdoğan explained that female politicians are scrutinized much more closely than their male colleagues, from their clothing and behavior to their speeches and private lives.

Highlighting that women manage their political careers alongside motherhood and family responsibilities, Erdoğan said that women should support each other more.

Proposal for a Support Network for Turkish Women in the United States

One of the most striking parts of the meeting was the idea of establishing a support mechanism for Turkish women living in the United States who face various problems, especially violence.

During the Q&A, the importance of creating an institutional structure in this area was mentioned. Çiğdem Erdoğan said it could be set up as a new association or as a working group under the umbrella of an existing, reliable organization.

Erdoğan stated that he was ready to provide free consultancy on how such a structure could be established and to prepare a model. Emphasizing that women can share their sensitive problems with trusted individuals, he highlighted the importance of a secure referral mechanism.

\"Touching a Woman’s Life Is Very Valuable\"

Examples of the problems faced by women who reached KEFEK were also shared at the meeting. Çiğdem Erdoğan explained that after a doctor who had suffered violence applied, relevant institutions were contacted and steps were taken quickly.

Erdoğan said that the commission’s work does not always reach the public, but directly touching people’s lives is important for them.

In the Q&A section, the importance of establishing reliable structures through which women can reach each other was also emphasized.

Turkish Hospitality from Divan Bakery

The owners of Divan Bakery, Sedat Baydar and Meral Baydar, who hosted the gathering in Brooklyn, also drew attention with their hospitality at the event.

While the Baydar family welcomed guests with care, the refreshments prepared also received praise from participants.

In the venue noted for its warm atmosphere, the Q&A session conducted with coffee turned into a warm gathering where the Turkish community came together, rather than a formal meeting.

Çiğdem Erdoğan also expressed her satisfaction with the hospitality shown, thanking the hosts in her speech.

Erdoğan's thanks to the Baydar family were also reciprocated by the participants.

Flowers, Gifts, and Meaningful Gestures

NYPD TURKIC Tales Envoy to Turkey İlknur Hüyük and AK Party Sakarya MP Çiğdem Erdoğan and

At the end of the program, İlknur Hüyük and Ezgi Çıldır presented flowers to the audience.

Sedat Baydar, Meral Bayrdar, Çiğdem Erdoğan and Ezgi Çıldır

At the meeting, Sedat and Meral Baydar also presented gifts to the guests.

One of the event's most heartwarming moments was when Çiğdem Erdoğan gave the flower presented to her to the oldest participant in the meeting. The gesture was met with interest by those in the room.

The meeting held in Brooklyn ended as a noteworthy gathering in terms of Turkish women directly conveying their life experiences in the United States to their members of parliament, forming new connections, and especially bringing solidarity mechanisms for women to the agenda.