Five women from Türkiye who are rebuilding lives in the aftermath of the earthquake

The earthquakes that struck southeastern Türkiye in February 2023 left a trail of devastation – shattering homes, disrupting livelihoods, and cutting off access to essential services. Nearly seven million women in the earthquake-affected region were impacted by the disaster, which not only deepened existing inequalities but also made it harder for women to meet basic needs and participate in recovery efforts.

In two of the hardest-hit provinces – Adıyaman and Hatay – women, including refugees, are receiving critical, multi-sectoral support through the project “Women’s and Girls’ Lifesaving Access to Protection Services in the Aftermath of the Earthquake,” funded by the Government of Japan and implemented by UN Women from April 2025 to March 2026.

In Hatay’s Samandağ district, the Women’s Life Center, run by the Association for Women’s Freedom and Equality (KÖVED) – offers protection services, psychosocial support, and guidance. In Adıyaman, the Leader Woman Association provides similar support, organizing awareness sessions, community gatherings on women’s rights and protection from violence, and connecting women to essential services.

The project also strengthens the capacity of these organizations to respond more effectively to women’s needs. This includes conducting legal and needs assessments, sharing vital information, and raising awareness about the legal challenges women may face after a disaster.

On 19 August, when the world marks World Humanitarian Day, we join the global call to recognize the vital contributions of women humanitarian workers who risk their lives to help others in crisis. We met five social workers who stand beside women most affected by the earthquake, helping them reclaim confidence, empowerment, and dignity.

Shared struggles, one safe space to regain confidence and strength

In Samandağ, Hatay, the Women’s Life Center has become a space for activity and connection. Women gather for counselling, legal literacy sessions, and discussions on women’s rights and recovery challenges. Outreach teams also visit rural areas outside official container cities, where displaced families live in improvised shelters, to connect them with protection and support services.

Neşe Koku, Project Coordinator at KÖVED, says trust is the foundation of their work. “At first, people didn’t know who we were or what we could offer, so we spent time just listening and showing that we were here for them,” she explains. Over time, women began to see this place as their own, a space where they could speak openly, find support, and be understood. Shared roots, a common language, and mutual struggles create trust. That’s what allows us to reach every woman in need.”

Özge Meydanoğulları, also a Project Coordinator at KÖVED, emphasizes the power of even the smallest gatherings. “These moments of solidarity help women regain confidence and strength,” she notes. “After the earthquake, everything was destroyed. As women, we already have specific needs, but we were in a situation where we couldn’t even meet them. It was very difficult for a woman to ask a man for something as basic as a sanitary pad. That’s why we raise awareness – so women feel empowered to speak up and ask for what they need.”

For psychologist Nurseli Çapar, women’s solidarity and empowerment are inseparable. “It’s about knowing you can stand on your own and define yourself as an individual – but feeling even stronger when you draw that strength from your community,” Çapar argues. “Women who have lived through the same experiences can offer deeper, more effective support, especially in times of crisis. Every time a woman realizes she has the right to speak up, make choices, and shape her future, the entire community grows stronger.”

Women empowering women to learn, speak up, and lead

In Adıyaman, the Leader Woman Association has been active since the earliest days after the earthquake. They began with a rapid needs assessment and quickly mobilized psychosocial support for the affected community. Over time, their work expanded to include mobile showers and toilets in tent settlements, hygiene kits distribution, setting up water tanks, and providing sunshades to help women cope with the summer heat.

Selma Üner, case officer at the Association, says each neighbourhood has its own dynamics. “In some places, social norms can make it harder for women to speak openly. We adapt our sessions – whether we’re discussing women’s rights, reproductive health, menstrual poverty, or how to access protection services – so the information feels relevant and accessible,” Üner reflects.