Invisible Lives, Visible Strug- gles: A Digital Analysis of Migrant Women in Türkiye
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.33831/sj2a6x77Keywords:
Syrian women, Ukrainian women, Afghan women, dehumanization, precarityAbstract
In contemporary society, social media platforms play a pivotal role in connecting individuals with shared experiences, fostering solidarity and support networks. In Türkiye, in particular, these platforms have had a profound impact on the women's rights movement. However, they are equally effective in disseminating misinformation and exacerbating the marginalization of targeted groups. This research aims to examine the media visibility of Ukrainian, Syrian, and Afghan migrant women in Türkiye, as well as their experiences with dehumanization, sexism, and insecurity. The study focuses on the negative impacts of the platform X (formerly known as Twitter), highlighting common and unique challenges faced by these women, and investigates how societal perceptions of migrant women are shaped on digital platforms. Methodologically, the research is grounded in thematic content analysis, employing data from Google Trends and X. In the first phase, Google Trends data from 2021, 2022, and 2023 were analyzed to identify spikes in online searches for these groups using specific keywords. In the second phase, it was observed that commentary on X concerning migrant women correlated with peaks in Google Trends data. In
the final phase, the data were subjected to thematic content analysis. This approach seeks to highlight the prevalence of dehumanizing and sexist remarks driven by prejudice made online and to examine how social media platforms shape social perceptions and attitudes toward these groups. This research aims to enhance understanding of migrant women's experiences in Türkiye, focusing on their representation and challenges within the context of social media, while promoting awareness of the narratives shaping societal perceptions. The central finding of the study is that Afghan and Syrian women are predominantly represented through narratives of anti-migrant sentiment and criminalization, whereas Ukrainian women are less associated with migrant hostility but are more frequently subjected to themes of sexualization and exploitation.
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