Halkbank/Arslan: We Place Great Importance and Support on Women Cooperatives in the Earthquake Zone
Following the earthquakes in Kahramanmaraş that occurred in 2023, the Turkey Businesswomen Association (TİKAD) is launching a special project aimed at increasing female employment in the region, contributing to the global marketing of products made by women, and revitalizing rug weaving, one of Turkey's traditional crafts. The project, developed by former president of the Turkish Clothing Manufacturers Association, Ahmet Nakkaş, in collaboration with international marketing networks, is being implemented by TİKAD with the support of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
The project is also supported by Halkbank (IS:HALKB), which stands by all women entrepreneurs and producers in Turkey. Osman Arslan, the General Manager of Halkbank, expressed the bank's commitment to supporting women cooperatives in the earthquake region.
Within the scope of the project, traditional Turkish carpets as well as four special carpets designed by four successful Turkish artists, each specifically for one of the cities, have begun to be woven stitch by stitch on looms set up in four cities affected by the earthquake. The project will be supported by orders from world-renowned international textile brands, promoting social responsibility.
The Kahramanmaraş earthquakes, described as one of the calamities of the century in 2023, have allowed the wounds to be healed and life to flourish again thanks to the solidarity shown by our nation and the strength of our government. However, there is still a long way to go, primarily focusing on providing psychological and social support to help the local population reconnect with life and accelerating economic development.
The FAO has provided material and technical support for women cooperatives involved in the project under its "Cooperative Support Program." Dr. Ayşegül Selışık, FAO Turkey Deputy Representative, conveyed their support for the project by stating: "Pure wool yarn is used in carpet weaving, an important example of traditional handicrafts. We supplied this yarn to cooperatives for use in weaving looms. Furthermore, through our FAO experts, we conducted training sessions on 'Digital Tools and Strategies for Cooperatives, Cooperative Business Model Cycle, and Preparing Business Plans and Marketing Plans.' These trainings are vital for enhancing the sustainability and competitiveness of the cooperatives. The business model and business plan training allows cooperatives to set their strategic goals and use their resources more efficiently. We are confident that FAO's support will help women cooperatives increase their market share and contribute more effectively to local economies. These cooperatives, established under the leadership of local women, empower them through collective production and provide joint solutions to their needs. Women are acting in solidarity and collaborating with wider communities. Not only the women who are members of the cooperatives are being empowered, but also the local communities are growing stronger. As FAO Turkey team, we are happy to support this project that helps women in the earthquake-affected region regain their foothold in life."
Four distinguished artists are supporting the project with special designs. World-renowned jewelry designer Sevan Bıçakçı, the founders of the Dice Kayek brand, Ece and Ayşe Ege, artist and lecturer Fırat Neziroğlu, who has developed weaving techniques that carry his name into the global literature, and Kadriye İnal, known for her surreal sculptures and public artworks, have rolled up their sleeves for this project. The artists chose one of the four cities where the project will be implemented and designed a special carpet for that city. In addition to the traditionally patterned carpets, these unique four carpets have also started to be woven stitch by stitch by women in the earthquake-affected region. The supervision of the project is carried out by artist Fırat Neziroğlu.
Local women cooperatives are included in the project. The Kahramanmaraş Yedi Güzel Kadın Cooperative, Hatay Rimmen Women Cooperative, Adıyaman Sevgimin Hilali Women Cooperative, and Malatya – Pütürge Women Initiative Production and Business Cooperative are major supporters of all local activities, from completing the weaving training for women in the region to determining the areas where weaving looms will be set up.
It is not enough to produce; the financial value of labor must also be compensated fairly. As women in the earthquake region strive to reconnect with life, the Turkey Businesswomen Association emphasizes that the labor they produce deserves to be recognized with its rightful financial value. Selling all traditional handicraft products made by female labor at low prices poses a significant barrier to the sustainability of these crafts. Low wage policies also hinder women's economic empowerment. TİKAD ensures that the true laborers benefit from this project.
The oldest known carpet in the world bears the signature of the Turks. Traditional hand-woven Turkish carpet weaving, dating back to the 4th-5th century BC, is a widely practiced handicraft in earthquake-affected areas for centuries. Every carpet produced in Anatolia, which has hosted civilizations for thousands of years, is considered a unique work of art due to the meanings carried by its motifs. The world's oldest known carpet is recognized as the Pazırık carpet, excavated by Russian archaeologist C. I. Rudenko between 1947-49 in the Altai Mountains of Siberia. It is estimated that this carpet was woven between the 5th-3rd centuries BC and is currently on display at the Leningrad Hermitage Museum. It is known that the Turkish carpet art continued to develop in Anatolia after the Turks conquered the region in 1071. The carpets woven by women trying to regain their footing after the earthquake in Kahramanmaraş, Hatay, Adıyaman, and Malatya will be a reflection of such a deep-rooted heritage carried into the present.