The February 6 earthquake and gender inequality: Women and their challenges in container settlements

This study offers a gender-based analysis focusing on the daily lives, challenges, and experiences of women who began living in container settlements following the February 6 earthquakes. The problems women face in accessing fundamental rights—such as shelter, healthcare, safety, economic life, social relationships, childcare, and education—have been examined through focus group discussions, field observations, and in-depth individual interviews. These issues were analyzed thematically based on qualitative data analysis. The research findings indicate that container living environments are insufficient in meeting women's needs, that social support mechanisms are weak, and that women are living in a state of multidimensional vulnerability. At the same time, women's efforts to build solidarity, their own solution proposals, and survival strategies also stand out as significant findings of this study. Based on the collected data, the study emphasizes the need for multifaceted and inclusive policies to improve the living conditions of women. Keywords: Women; Earthquake; Container settlement; Gender