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"Earthquake and Gender-Based Vulnerability: Women's Layered Earthquake Experiences, Hatay, 2023"
Project Objective:
Conducted under Maltepe University’s Scientific Research Project (BAP), this study focuses on research involving women over the age of 18 in Hatay after the earthquake. The project aims to examine gender-based vulnerability that emerged following the disaster and the conditions contributing to this vulnerability, particularly the "layered burden" experienced by women.
The primary goal of the research is to investigate the gender-related layered burdens and social, economic, physical, and environmental vulnerabilities experienced by women living in Hatay, which was affected by the earthquake on February 6, 2023. The study seeks to analyze in detail how factors such as generational differences, ethnic background, socioeconomic status, education, and disaster response influence these burdens.
Project Team:
Project Manager:
- Assoc. Prof. Dr. Gökçesu Akşit Dudaklı
Other Team Members:
- Prof. Dr. Belma T. Akşit
- Deniz Erben
- Zahide Özdemir
- Batuhan Kalaycıoğlu
- Kaya Yüksek
Research Background:
The earthquakes centered in Kahramanmaraş on February 6, 2023, significantly impacted Hatay, causing widespread destruction. The research will begin in the districts of Antakya, İskenderun, and Arsuz in Hatay. The project aims to detail the economic, social, physical, and environmental vulnerabilities faced by women in the aftermath of the earthquake.
Participants will be reached using the snowball sampling method. The study will also include women who migrated out of Hatay after the earthquake. Furthermore, the project will analyze the intergenerational burdens of women across three different age groups.
Methodology:
The project will employ in-depth interviews and focus group discussions. Data will be collected through observation, interviews, and audio recordings.
Expected Outcomes:
If successfully completed, the findings will be published in at least one academic article, making a significant contribution to disaster sociology literature. This in-depth analysis of gender-based vulnerability and layered burdens of women may guide disaster management and gender equality policies.
This project aims not only to examine and research the impact of the earthquake on women in Hatay but also to incorporate practical applications. Below are some key examples:
1. PRELIMINARY RESEARCH
To fully assess and understand the impact of the Kahramanmaraş earthquakes in Hatay, in-depth interviews and focus group discussions with women over the age of 18 were planned. These interviews aimed to explore the intergenerational differences in women's layered burdens and the impact of the earthquake on their decisions to stay in or leave Hatay.
From October 24-29, 2023, our preliminary research team, including Prof. Dr. Belma Akşit and Deniz Erben, traveled via plane to Adana Airport before visiting Antakya, İskenderun, and Samandağ districts of Hatay.
Through the Elidor Foundation, a focus group discussion was conducted with 20 women living in container camps. Additionally, in-depth interviews were held with 9 women from different age groups who were either living in container camps or their own homes.
Efforts were also made to reach women who had left Hatay through the snowball method. For example, during a visit to Vakıfköy, Samandağ, researchers learned that two women had relocated to Istanbul, and interviews were promptly arranged with them.
Furthermore, the study focused on intergenerational burdens by conducting a detailed analysis across three different age groups, allowing for a more comprehensive understanding of how the earthquake affected women differently depending on their age.
2. TEXTILE WORKSHOP
2.1. Sewing Machine Donation
During the research, an opportunity arose to establish a "Textile Workshop" in one of the planned container settlements, aiming to support both women’s needs and families in the earthquake-affected region.
With support from Mert Textile Workshop and contributions from Şemsettin Kayaaslan and Hasan Hüseyin Tosun, six professional sewing machines (technical details provided below) were purchased with personal funds and donated to the region.
The idea behind this donation was to both motivate those who contributed and provide encouragement to the earthquake survivors. The primary goal was to meet women's needs while using the donated machines as a starting point for establishing a sustainable workshop in the earthquake zone.
Through collaboration with the "Relief Convoy Association", which has over 20 years of experience in disaster relief, a formal agreement is being arranged with Nuran Kızılkan and Levent Öztürk to ensure the machines are used efficiently in a container settlement workshop with official permission from local authorities.
The workshop aims to go beyond academic research by offering practical solutions for the needs of earthquake survivors and contributing to the local community's resilience.
Technical Information on Donated Sewing Machines:
- 2 units of 4-thread overlock machines
- 1 manual Singer straight stitch machine
- 1 semi-automatic Singer straight stitch machine
- 1 embroidery machine
- 1 3-thread overlock regular machine