Syrian Refugee Women’s Experiences with Intimate Partner Violence during Pre-War, Displacement, and Asylum Period in Türkiye

Abstract

This study examines Syrian married refugee women’s experiences with intimate partner violence (IPV) across three periods: the pre-war period in Syria, the period of war and internal displacement, and the asylum-seeking phase in Türkiye. It explores how changing social contexts and structural conditions shape IPV within forced migration settings. A qualitative design was used, and data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 20 Syrian women in Ankara. Thematic analysis, following Braun and Clarke’s framework, and MAXQDA were used during data interpretation. The findings indicate that IPV was present across all phases of displacement, with the highest levels reported in pre-war Syria and displacement largely shaped by patriarchal norms and unequal gender dynamics. However, IPV declined in the asylum period, coinciding with shifts in women’s awareness, access to support systems, and changes in social environments. The study underscores the lasting influence of gendered power relations and highlights the need for targeted and context-sensitive interventions.