Two Years After the Earthquake: Women-led Disaster Response and Recovery

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Women leaders and civil society representatives from the earthquake region gathered with the international community to discuss the remaining needs. Credit: UN Women
Women leaders and civil society representatives from the earthquake region gathered with the international community to discuss the remaining needs. Credit: UN Women
Women leaders and civil society representatives from the earthquake region gathered with the international community to discuss the remaining needs. Credit: UN Women
Women leaders and civil society representatives from the earthquake region gathered with the international community to discuss the remaining needs. Credit: UN Women
Women leaders and civil society representatives from the earthquake region gathered with the international community to discuss the remaining needs. Credit: UN Women
Women leaders and civil society representatives from the earthquake region gathered with the international community to discuss the remaining needs. Credit: UN Women
Women leaders and civil society representatives from the earthquake region gathered with the international community to discuss the remaining needs. Credit: UN Women
Women leaders and civil society representatives from the earthquake region gathered with the international community to discuss the remaining needs. Credit: UN Women
Women leaders and civil society representatives from the earthquake region gathered with the international community to discuss the remaining needs. Credit: UN Women
Women leaders and civil society representatives from the earthquake region gathered with the international community to discuss the remaining needs. Credit: UN Women
Women leaders and civil society representatives from the earthquake region gathered with the international community to discuss the remaining needs. Credit: UN Women
Women leaders and civil society representatives from the earthquake region gathered with the international community to discuss the remaining needs. Credit: UN Women

Two years after the February 6, 2023, earthquakes, Türkiye reflects on the immense progress made in recovery—yet the needs remain pressing. The disaster, which displaced millions and reshaped entire communities, also revealed deep-rooted inequalities in disaster response and recovery efforts. Women and girls were among the hardest hit, yet they also emerged as key actors in the response.

In the immediate aftermath, women-led organizations were among the first responders, mobilizing aid, providing shelter, and ensuring that the specific needs of women and girls were not overlooked. Over the past two years, they have continued their work, often with limited resources, advocating for sustainable solutions and inclusive recovery policies. But today, the evolving needs in the earthquake-affected regions have shifted from immediate humanitarian aid to long-term recovery and resilience-building. Women and girls continue to face unique challenges.

To learn the realities and current needs of the region directly from women, UN Women Türkiye, in collaboration with the Embassy of Germany, brought together a total of 70 participants, including local women leaders, women-led organizations, legal practitioners, and municipal leaders, alongside representatives from UN agencies, international organizations, and 14 embassies in Türkiye. The discussions revealed the gendered impacts of the February earthquakes, the response measures undertaken, the importance of women’s participation in emergency response as well as recovery, and the remaining needs. Understanding their experiences and the challenges they face is fundamental to formulating a response that aligns with their actual needs.

Women at the Forefront of Disaster Response

The role of women-led organizations in disaster recovery has been critical as it highlighted by the participants. From establishing safe spaces for women and girls to offering legal aid and economic support, these organizations have filled gaps left by mainstream response mechanisms.

Women’s participation in disaster preparedness is another key issue that was discussed during the event. While their involvement in response efforts has been vital, ensuring that they have a seat at the table in designing future disaster plans is equally crucial. Local women’s committees have begun to emerge as powerful platforms for advocacy, pushing for more gender-sensitive policies and inclusive decision-making in housing and resettlement efforts. The discussions highlighted the critical role of women in disaster response and recovery, as well as the need for sustained investment in their leadership and capacity-strengthening.

"Focusing on women in disaster preparedness and intervention is of utmost importance. We believe resources should be allocated for this purpose."

- Pınar Emine Gökgün, Operations Coordinator of Support to Life
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Pınar Emine Gökgün, Operations Coordinator of Support to Life

"Women's organizations receive less than 5% of global humanitarian funding, and yet they do very effective work with very little. More resources must be allocated to work to meet the unique needs of women and girls."

- Gülfer Kırbaş, Coordinator of Çember Civil Initiative Association
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Gülfer Kırbaş, Coordinator of Çember Civil Initiative Association

Unresolved Challenges in Recovery

Women leaders from the earthquake region discussed how many women in the earthquake zone continue to struggle with housing insecurity, legal barriers, and economic instability. Tenancy and ownership issues persist, making it difficult for many to rebuild their lives. They also highlighted that access to legal aid remains a significant concern, especially for those navigating complex property rights or seeking justice for gender-based violence.

Women with disabilities face additional challenges as it highlighted during the event. Communication barriers for hearing-impaired individuals, for example, have left many behind in recovery efforts, highlighting the need for more inclusive support systems.

"The right to safe and accessible housing is a major problem in earthquake region.It is very important to support women’s inclusion in decision-making processes for solving these problems."

- Perihan Uluğ, Foundation for the Support of Women's Work (KEDV)
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Perihan Uluğ, Foundation for the Support of Women's Work (KEDV):

"Hearing-impaired individuals fall behind during crises because communication relies solely on words. After the earthquake, we started efforts to replace hearing devices lost under the rubble, but each device costs a lot, making support crucial. While designing funds diversity must be taken into account."

- Ayşe Damla İşeri Sunman, General Coordinator of Dem Association
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Ayşe Damla İşeri Sunman, General Coordinator of Dem Association

"Access to legal aid is critical for women in post-disaster recovery. We organized numerous legal information sessions to help women understand their rights and navigate the complex legal processes following the earthquake, but the need remains."

- Sibel Şat Durkal, Lawyer Hatay Bar Association
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Sibel Şat Durkal, Lawyer Hatay Bar Association

Sustaining Women’s Leadership in Recovery

Discussions at the event underscored that while women-led initiatives have been instrumental in disaster response and recovery, their sustainability remains uncertain. Participants emphasized that women’s leadership in crisis situations must be supported with long-term funding, policy inclusion, and institutional backing. The need for safe spaces, legal aid, and economic opportunities for women remains pressing, as does the importance of integrating women’s voices into decision-making at all levels.
 

"The necessity to embed a gender equality perspective in local government disaster response has become evident. Women’s life centers emerged as a spontaneous model on the ground. We need to ensure their continuation."

- Kadem Doğan, Coordinator of Adana Women’s Life Centers
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Kadem Doğan, Coordinator of Adana Women’s Life Centers

To sustain women’s leadership in recovery, UN Women Türkiye is working to strengthen the capacity of women-led organizations, and promote gender-responsive policies at the local and national levels. This includes supporting the establishment of women’s life centers and other community-based initiatives that provide essential services to women and girls.

The stories of resilience and determination shared at the November 14th event serve as a powerful reminder: women are not just beneficiaries of aid—they are leading the way in rebuilding communities. But to continue this work, they need recognition, resources, and a commitment to lasting change. UN Women Türkiye remains committed to standing with them, amplifying their voices, and ensuring their expertise shapes a more inclusive, effective recovery process.