Journey of Violence: Refugee Women’s Experiences Across Three Stages and Places

Abstract

This article examines violence experienced by refugee women across three distinct (geographic and symbolic) stages and places: in their countries of origin, during the displacement journey, and in the country of asylum. Drawing from a criminological and gender perspective, 24 semi-structured interviews were conducted with refugee women, 14 women were from the Middle East, and 10 women were from Africa, currently residing in Portugal. This study focused on understanding the individual dimensions that provide insight into women’s meanings, intersubjective constructions, and perceptions of their refugee process, using the narrative paradigm. Grounded theory and abduction approaches were used to focus on participants’ active construction of meaning. The research highlights that individual memories of harm and suffering among refugee women are profoundly influenced by encounters with gendered, structural, and symbolic forms of violence. The article presents a three-part analysis of women’s violence narratives, shedding light on their processes of becoming refugees.

Fighting back, moving forward: Refugee women's agency in stories of resistance and resilience

“…Kanal and Rottmann (2021) emphasize the need to describe the everyday agency of refugee women without excessive celebration, recognizing the impact of oppressive social structures. This article acknowledges these arguments and does not ignore the experiences of violence that may limit their scope for action (For a more comprehensive analysis of the violence experienced by refugee women, see Borges, 2023).…”

“…Transit country challenges signi cantly in uence individuals to seek international protection through the UNHCR (Borges, 2023). Banki's (2013) concept of the "precarity of place" adds depth to our understanding of challenges faced by migrants in their residence.…”

“…For many women, the pursuit of international protection wasn't their initial choice; rather, their aspirations were rooted in the desire to establish new lives in the countries they ed to. However, they encountered formidable challenges, such as profound limitations on housing, work, medical care, and schooling for her children (for a comprehensive exploration of the challenges endured by these women (see Borges, 2023). Mariam (Syria) re ects on these challenges, saying, "We hoped for a fresh start, but the reality in Turkey was tough.…”

“…The narratives of the women interviewed underscore the multifaceted nature of their decisions to leave their countries of origin. To elucidate the complexity of these choices, it is crucial to consider the historical context of violence that often serves as a catalyst for such decisions (see Borges, 2023). For these women, leaving everything familiar behind was not merely a choice; it was a stark matter of life or death.…”

“…Each woman's journey, articulated in her own words, stands as a testament to her resistance in the face of adversity. It's crucial to recognize that forced migration, particularly stemming from violence (Borges, 2023), necessitates an acknowledgment of the pivotal role individual choice plays in the decision to embark on this challenging path. Fatima's (Iraq) account of internal displacement epitomizes the resistance that some of the interviewees demonstrated before seeking refuge elsewhere: Initially, my family and I sought refuge in northern Iraq, where we stayed in a church with other families for the rst few days.…”