The participation of Syrian refugee women in social activities: The case of İzmir

With the start of Syrian Civil War in 2010, millions of Syrian people have immigrated to Turkey and most of them consist of female immigrants. Even though the variables and outcomes are different in the context of a forced migration that creates very deep traces on people's lives and deeply affect human memory and memories due to war, it is known that women are more affected than men for various reasons in this process. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the level of participation after forced migration in social activities of Syrian immigrant women who lives in İzmir and to understand whether there are any differences between Syria and Turkey in the context of adaptation to society, language skills and gender. Since social life and social sciences proceed on a patriarchal system, the scientific studies are generally based on men and their experiences while women's experiences and sometimes even their existence may be invisible. In general, studies which are related to women are limited to health and socioeconomic dimensions. This study is important and necessary because it is specific. This study is a qualitative study with phenomonological design including interview method. The sample of this study consists of women between the ages of 15-45 who have immigrated to Izmir after the war in Syria and currently live in different districts of İzmir. In this study, maximum variation sampling is used in order to include the differences and diversity and 26 women were interviewed. An interpreter was used when necessary. Individual interviews consist of semi-structured and open-ended questions. The women who live in the neighborhoods such as Basmane, Eşrefpaşa and Kadifekale, where the Syrian population is dense have priority. Four themes has emerged as a result of the data which were obtained from the findings: activities that Syrian women participated, preventive elements, supportive elements and activities they want to participate. Preventive and supportive elements are also subdivided. It has been established that factors such as socio-economic status, education level, time and having children play a leading role for participation in social activities in addition to the changing roles of women with immigration. Participation rates in social activity have varied between Syria and Turkey. Turkish language skills and residence time in Izmir have been influential on the adaptation to the environment, thus these are very determinant factors in participation in social activities. Key Words: Syrian women, refugee, İzmir, social activity, women's leisure