One and a half years have passed since the 6 February earthquakes in 2023, which claimed the lives of more than 53 thousand people and destroyed the houses of 3.3 million people in 11 provinces of Turkiye. However, life has not returned to normal for hundreds of thousands of young women and girls living in the earthquake affected provinces. United Nations Population Fund, UNFPA Turkiye is working to empower girls in Kahramanmaraş in partnership with the Mother Child Education Foundation (AÇEV) and with the financial support of the US Government. Young girls who receive support tell more.

KAHRAMANMARAŞ, TURKİYE - “A girl should go to school in order to be able to stand on her own feet and not to depend on anyone. Many of our friends who did not want to enroll in school understood how significant education is after participating in the program here. Now they all have dreams. They all have a future.” These words belong to Melike (16), who settled in a container city in Kahramanmaraş. The young girl, whose house collapsed because of the earthquake, tells that her biggest dream is to complete her education and have a good job.

The earthquakes that occurred on February 6, 2023 directly affected the lives of more than 9 million people in the region. Difficulties in accessing essential needs such as livelihoods, transportation, sanitation, health and education continue for 650 thousand people living in temporary settlements. Under these difficult conditions, increasing risks of child, early and forced marriage, violence and harassment continue, especially for women and girls. United Nations Population Fund, UNFPA in cooperation with AÇEV and with the financial support of the US Government, is working to empower young people and girls in  Kahramanmaraş, one of the hardest hit provinces. Within this scope, training programs covering child marriages, protection, and adolescent health and development, are organized for girls aged 12-18 in the designated container cities.

Irmak’s story

Irmak (12) lost her home and her grandparents in the quake. Eighteen months after the disaster, the young girl continues her education at school, and attends courses and events in the container city where she lives with her family. She says, “I am committed to completing my education. I want to work and run my own business.”

Irmak tells us how she made new friends, socialized and learned a lot after participating in our training program. She says that they raise "Bahar" in class, a symbolic character who knows her rights and can stand on her own feet, “For example, we raise Bahar together every day, we learn about children's rights and our rights against violence with her.”

Sudenaz’s story

High school student Sudenaz (15) had to settle in a container with her family after losing their home in the earthquake. She says that she had difficulty in getting used to temporary living conditions for a long time, and that they are adapting to their new “normal” even though they cannot establish a life like they had at home. She explains that our training program helps her socialize, and raise her awareness on many issues.

“I learned to express myself and to say 'no' and 'stop' to the other person when I don't want to.” says Sudenaz and adds that she is now much more conscious about gender equality and child, early and forced marriages, “We have learned that everyone is equal and has the same rights. I learned what a child can do and where she can go to get support in case she is forced into marriage. I feel much stronger and conscious.”

Melike’s story

High school student Melike (16) experienced great difficulties after the earthquake. She explains that after the disaster, they lived in the car for a while, then went to Mersin, but returned to Kahramanmaraş after the third major tremor that took place two weeks later, affecting a large area including Mersin. She says that after staying in the tent for a while, they tried to establish a new normal in the container they settled in.

Explaining that they talked about many topics, such as learning about their bodies and emotions, equality, positive and negative outcomes of technology, and the importance of education, Melike tells that she has improved herself and become stronger, and that her determination to continue her education has become stronger, “A girl needs to study, she needs to be able to stand on her feet. She should not depend on anyone, be it a man or another woman. My biggest dream is to study and stand on my own feet.” says Melike.

Aliye’s story

An open high school student Aliye (16), who lives in a container city in Kahramanmaraş with her two siblings, says that families should be more considerate about education and tells what she has learned through our program, “My self-confidence improved here. I realized once again how important it is for girls to study. I realized that I was not alone, there are people willing to support me, and that nobody can obstruct my way. That's why I feel much stronger.”

UNFPA Turkiye, in line with the Leave No One Behind principle, continues to support all vulnerable groups, especially girls, youth and women in the earthquake region. With the partnership of AÇEV and financial support of the US Government, UNFPA empowers girls by informing them about children’s rights, and raises their awareness about the physical, emotional and cognitive changes they experience during adolescence.