Investigation of the current situation of women's entrepreneurship in Malatya after the earthquake

Natural disasters, especially earthquakes, are one of the greatest threats to humanity. Earthquakes, in particular, negatively affect economic growth due to reasons such as the cessation of production processes, damage to infrastructure, and increased unemployment rates. In the recovery process after disasters, women entrepreneurs play a critical role by creating new job opportunities and bringing communities together with their innovative approaches. The devastating earthquakes whose epicenter was Kahramanmaraş, Türkiye on February 6, 2023 caused great loss of life and widespread damage. In this context, supporting creative and innovative women entrepreneurship, especially in the regions affected by the earthquake, will make significant contributions to alleviating the negative consequences of the disaster. In this respect, the aim of the study is to examine the effects of natural disasters on the entrepreneurial activities of women entrepreneurs who own companies in Malatya after the earthquake, by examining the current situation of women entrepreneurs who own companies in Malatya after the earthquake, and to investigate this situation by presenting solution suggestions for the problems women face. The aim of the study is to examine the current situation of women entrepreneurs who own companies in Malatya after the earthquake and to investigate the difficulties faced by women entrepreneurs affected by the earthquake. Interview method and voice recording were used as data collection tools. The interviews in this study were planned at workplaces and during working hours, considering the convenience of the participating women. The interviews were conducted only with the participants and the researcher, taking care of the privacy of the women. A voice recorder was used during the interviews with the approval of the participants. This method both saved time and allowed for better analysis of the emotional expressions of the interviewees. The data collection process was completed between December 2023 and July 2024. Interview durations varied between 40 and 75 minutes. In addition to the answers given in the interview, the researcher tried to ensure consistency in the information by observing the business owner and the workplace situation. After the interviews were completed, the data obtained were transcribed. These texts were then read and coded by the researcher and an academician who is an expert in the field. Each researcher analyzed the content of the questions separately.