Women-led cooperatives foster resilience amidst adversity in Türkiye
Cooperatives provide women a path for economic independence and rebuilding lives after the earthquake
As a member of the Samandağ women’s cooperative, Çiğdem Kudret produces a range of local specialties to sell at local markets and online. Cooperatives in Türkiye, supported by FAO, are promoting women’s entrepreneurship and economic self-sufficiency.
©FAO/Bradley Secker
In 2019, Çiğdem Kudret realized for the first time that skills she had — making jams, pickles, spice mixes and tomato paste— could be monetized. This revelation came about because of a class she took at the local Samandağ Women’s Cooperative, and it ignited a passion in her for entrepreneurship and economic self-sufficiency.
Raised in a household where women were discouraged from working outside the home, Çiğdem had never experienced financial independence. After she got married, she was a homemaker and mother, taking care of her three children.
"I got money in my pocket for the first time with the cooperative," reflects Çiğdem. "Our father did not want his daughters to work... But I had always wanted to work and contribute. I have potential, but because there was no support around me, we stayed closed, like a closed box."