Migration experiences of Syrian Turkmen women: The case of Gaziantep

The aim of this study is to examine the processes and experiences of Syrian Turkmen migrant women who settled in Gaziantep due to the civil war that started in Syria in 2011, before and after migration. Considering the ethnicity variable as a component to be taken into account, this study questions the stance of Syrian Turkmen women's communities in their traditions, gender roles in Syria before the war, and their struggles to become a refugee woman after migrating to Turkiye, their life experiences and cultural adaptation processes. In this process, in which migration from Syria continued, Syrian Turkmen women, who were an important group of Syrians who had ties to Turkiye before the war and migrated to Turkiye after the war, were determined as the research subjects. Syrian migrant Turkmen women are examined in the context of those in Gaziantep. In this context, in-depth interviews were conducted with 20 women from different age, education, profession and income groups. In the findings of the study, which was conducted using the qualitative research method, it was found that Syrian Turkmen migrant women had an easier and more positive experience of adaptation to immigration and social integration than other groups due to their familiarity with the language and culture. However, it was concluded that they had difficulties in their struggles as migrant women in the first stage of the migration process due to their Syrian immigration status and gender roles. Despite this, it has been observed that women should not always be perceived as victims in the migration process, and that immigrant women continue their struggle for life despite the many problems they experience.