The Weak Link in the Chain: The (Surprisingly) Loose Ties Between Migrant Women and Women's Organizations in Turkey

Abstract

This article examines the fragmented solidarities between women's organizations and Syrian migrant women in Turkey, focusing on & Idot;stanbul, Gaziantep, and & Idot;zmir, the cities with the highest concentrations of Syrian migrants. Drawing on semi-structured interviews conducted with representatives from 25 women's organizations, the study investigates why feminist solidarity has remained elusive despite the shared gendered vulnerabilities of migrant women and Turkish women. The findings reveal that women's organizations are divided in their approaches to migrant women due to differing conceptualizations of the state, intersectionality, and traditional gender roles, as well as the cultural and socio-economic heterogeneity of Syrian women. These divisions are further compounded by structural constraints that limit opportunities for engagement and reinforce exclusionary attitudes. By situating these dynamics within the broader context of transnational feminist debates, the article argues that feminist solidarity is not a given but a contested and context-dependent process that requires active efforts to bridge divides. The study contributes to scholarship on migration and feminist solidarity by foregrounding the intersecting dimensions of gender, class, ethnicity, and state-civil society dynamics, emphasizing the need for rights-based, transformative solidarities over charity-based approaches. The article concludes with implications for feminist politics, migration policy, and pathways for future research, offering insights into fostering inclusive solidarities in global migration contexts.