The spatial experiences of Syrian women living in Gaziantep

Authors : Şenay LEYLA KUZU

Pages : 41-52

View : 15 | Download : 10

Publication Date : 2020-10-09

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :Gaziantep is one of the Turkish cities most highly populated with Syrian refugees living under temporary protection. Factors such as their legal status, relationship with the local authorities, the social environment in which they have settled, social benefits, and working conditions have a huge effect on the refugees’ experiences insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(Ilcan et al.; 2018: 56);. Together with all these variables, the cultural norms and expectations that influence women’s gender roles also shape their spatial experiences insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(Kalfa et al.; 2009: 220);. As observed in the field research, women’s experiences can be vastly different depending on their levels of education, knowledge of the language spoken in their new country, and how transient their situation is. This article is based on in-depth interviews made with 15 women, aged between 24 and 48, who mostly come from rural areas surrounding Aleppo. Conducted in Gaziantep’s relatively poorer neighborhoods insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(İstiklal, 60. Yıl, Güneş, Kıbrıs, and 75. Yıl);, the women were asked in Arabic about their experiences as refugees, with the aim of shedding light on women’s experiences of daily life as a refugee.
Keywords : Syrian refugee women, spatial experience, Gaziantep