GEND ER AND MIGRATION FROM AFGHANIST AN: AN ANALYSIS OF WOMEN’S EMPOWERMENT AND MIGRATION

Abstract

The recent history of Afghanistan has witnessed complicated and conflictual events which have challenged living conditions of people and forced them to make international movements around the world, particularly to neighboring countries such as Islamic Republic of Iran and Pakistan. Likewise, there is also Afghan migration to Turkey. Among the moving groups, women make up a considerable group, and therefore, there is a need to pay deeper attention to their vulnerable situations. In addition, it is important to address issues related to the rights of migrant women and their changing social roles. This research is focused on Afghan women’s migration to Turkey and its impact on their living conditions and empowerment status. This work is concentrated on migration from Afghanistan with a brief overview of Afghan women’s migration from the historical perspective. This work overviews the causes of Afghan women’s emigrations to Pakistan, Iran and Turkey. The subject is considered important since a huge number of Afghans have fled to these countries. Debates on Afghan women’s migration is integrated with the concepts of ‘empowerment’ focusing on health, education and labor & domestic work status. Based on qualitative interviews with Afghan women living in Istanbul, the thesis discusses their living conditions in Turkey, the process through which they migrated to Turkey and whether migration has empowered these women.