MEDİNE MAMEDOĞLU

Van – Turkey has suffered from an economic crisis for two years but recently the Turkish lira has lost half its value against the dollar. All people in the country have suffered from worsening economic conditions in the country. Most shopkeepers have already taken down their shutters due to the rising prices of products. Female shopkeepers, the invisible segment of the crisis, have spent days without selling anything.  Feleknaz Karabulak is one of them. She has a tailor shop called “Rabia Terzihanesi (Rabia’s Tailor Shop)” in Van province. She has worked as a tailor for 20 years. “I have gone through such a bad period for the first time. I will not forgive those who cause this situation,” she said.

“Keeping the shop open is hard for me”

Stating that she grew up her children and sent them to school by working as a tailor for 20 years, Feleknaz Karabulak said that they haven’t taken a breath for about two months. “I can no longer give pocket money to my children when they go to school. I haven’t received any orders. I mostly close my shop without making the first sale of the day. I cannot afford to pay my rent. A few years ago, I used to make some money. Now, keeping the shop open is hard for me. Why? Because I don’t earn anything,” she told us.

“I spend days without making the first sale”

Emphasizing that they are on the brink of bankruptcy, she said, “Other shopkeepers face the same thing. The price of clothes is increased by one hundred percent. The materials we bought for 40 TL before are now 100 TL. I cannot buy fabrics anymore due to their high prices. Women are affected by the economic crisis more. We face difficulties at home and at work. I do the housework and then come to my shop. But I spend days without making the first sale.”

“They are waiting for us to die of starvation”

“I work to give a better future to my children,” she said, “We are devoted mothers. We want our children to have a comfortable life. I will never forgive those who cause this situation. I don’t have a good life but I want to build a better life for my children. But now people cannot take a breath due to the economic crisis. They are waiting for us to die of starvation. Most people cannot buy even bread now.”