Browsing by Author "Wein, Anne M."

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Lessons in Business Recovery Following the 2023 Kahramanmaraş Earthquake Sequence, Türkiye Informed by Women Entrepreneurs
(Sage Publications inc, 2025) Wein, Anne M.; Kroll, Cynthia A.; Fung, Juan F.; Orhan, Ezgi
On 6 February 2023, Southern Türkiye was hit by devastating earthquakes, directly affecting over 14 million people in 11 cities, causing more than 50,000 deaths and the destruction of more than 800,000 buildings. This article goes beyond the physical damage imposed by the catastrophe to discuss the effects of the earthquakes on the operations of women-owned businesses. The mixed-method study with entrepreneurs belonging to a women's business association operating in a moderately disrupted part of the region explores their struggles and recovery expectations. Thirty-five questionnaires were analyzed to identify the reasons for business closure, challenges, and needs faced in the post-disaster period and their recovery strategies. In addition, 23 entrepreneurs participated in roundtable discussions to provide a broader context to their responses to survey topics as well as lessons learned. Across both the survey and roundtables, while many respondents reported minor physical damage to their building, they also experienced financial and personal challenges from disruption to equipment, infrastructure, services, supply chains, institutional decisions, employee well-being, and customer base. Many used their business resources and personal savings to assist employees and others in the community. The women entrepreneurs often felt their recovery needs were ignored by government and private relief organizations and encountered barriers to receiving assistance from public and private institutions. Organizing together as women in business, even informally, provided mutual support during the crisis and recovery periods and catalyzed their role in support of their communities. The results illuminate functional community recovery as a balance of recovery of built infrastructure functionality and recovery of the broader social and economic fabric of the community.
Women’s Labor Force Participation After Disasters: The Case of Nurdağı, Türkiye, Following Kahramanmaraş Earthquakes
(Wiley, 2026) Orhan, Ezgi; Wein, Anne M.; Kroll, Cynthia A.
Economic functionality is essential for the recovery of cities and communities following disasters. A crucial factor in reducing business disruptions and guaranteeing their continuity is the capacity of employees to resume work. Facilitating the reintegration of employees into the workforce can expedite their post-disaster recovery process and assist the impacted communities in their recuperation. Nevertheless, when women encounter numerous challenges in returning to the workforce, the share of women's employment declines. This study aims to elucidate the challenges and expectations of women living in the region directly impacted by the February 6, 2023, Kahramanmaraş earthquakes regarding their participation in the post-disaster job market. Nurdağı town in Gaziantep province, where the impacts of the February 6th earthquakes are evident, was selected as the case study. One year later, a survey was administered to 375 women living in a Nurdağı container city. The study explores earthquake damages and losses to their homes and workplaces, their migration status post-disaster, the challenges faced in labor market participation, and their expectations for employment. The responses clarify specific barriers to women's labor force participation in the first year following the earthquakes and the type of programs that could help overcome the difficulties faced. While state-sponsored temporary work programs facilitate women's employment in the short run, these jobs may not align with skills and prior work experience and do not address the longer-term needs for women seeking stable, permanent income-generating positions. Amid extensive destruction, the establishment of a secure living environment had become the most basic need, while gender-specific supports are also important in restoring women's labor force participation, including psychological treatment options, programs to assist with the care of children and other dependents, and vocational development. The study highlights considerations when providing support for both employees and recovering businesses after a disaster.