Sub-Saharan African migrant women's use of public space and space experiences: A study on Burdur urban practices

This study aims to problematise the 'vulnerable' position of African women and to open up a discussion on women's accessibility, equal and free use of public spaces in the context of the concept of 'right to the city'. The city creates behavioural patterns with the dominant masculine culture and reveals the distinction between public and private spaces. This distinction, which is the main determinant of the division of labour in the context of gender ideology, is not only a spatial distinction, but also constructs the cultural meanings of being male and female on a symbolic basis. This distinction also directly affects women's relationship with the city and causes them to be in a more disadvantaged position. This disadvantaged identity, which determines women's experiences in both the private and public spheres, also brings up the concepts of multiple disadvantage and multiple otherness. As a matter of fact, intersectional identities and spaces caused by gender, class, ethnicity, religion, citizenship, race and similar characteristics have a significant impact on women's daily life practices and urban experiences. n this context, based on the intersectionality approach, this study aims to understand how women experience urban spaces from a gender perspective through the eyes of Somali immigrant women living in Burdur by focusing on the effects of multiple non-identical female identities (immigrant, coloured, poor) on urban life. The sample group of the research consists of 17 Somali women living in Burdur. The study is based on qualitative research design. The data obtained through the interview technique were categorised and interpreted around certain themes.