Post-migration wellbeing, community activism and

empowerment: the case of Turkish-speaking women in

London

Dr Eleni HatzidimitriadouReader in Social Work

Migration and the Right to Health, 26-27 May 2010

Turkish Migration

In European Union, Turkish migrant women comprise one of the largest groups of female non-nationals; mainly reside in Germany, France and UK

Turkish migrant communities is a fairly new ethnic minority group in the UK; it includes Cypriot Turks, Kurdish Turks and Turks from mainland Turkey as well as ‘new’ religious groups (Sunni and Alevi)

Estimated numbers – 115,000 to 300,000 mostly living in particular boroughs of the Greater London area

Female migration

Feminist perspectives and patriarchal power relationships

Impact of gender in 3 stages of migration (Boyd & Grieco, 2003):

– Pre-migration – Transition across state boundaries– Post-migration

Reductionist views of migrant women typically associated with socio-cultural, domestic and family spheres

Importance of the intersection of class, gender and race

Migrant Women and Welfare

Migrant women are often perceived as ‘dependents’ of male migrants, as well as ‘voiceless’ and ‘powerless’ in welfare policy and service provision.

Little relevance of this conception of migrant women to New Labour welfare state where “subject is the sceptical citizen-consumer who acts in the pursuit of enlightened self-interest, expecting value for money and quality services tailored to individual needs” (F. Williams, 1999, p. 504).

The ‘active welfare subject’ is closely linked to the new social welfare movements and refers to the notion of a ‘welfare citizen who is active in their participation in democratised welfare services’ (ibid).

Issues for research

Women’s post-migration experiences are related to gender roles, sexual relationships and victimisation such as domestic abuse and violence (McFarlane et al., 2002; Small et al, 2003)

Especially challenging for women who migrate from a patriarchal, collectivist to an individualistic society and may experience conflicts between home and host cultures

Women’s cultural capital could be an essential element of successful coping and resilience to post-migration adversities

Coping with post-migration difficulties and the nature of social transformations women might experience in the host country are yet to be fully explored

The case of Turkish women in the UK

Survey of 264 Turkish-speaking migrant women in London (with Gulfem Çakir and Gul Aydin, 2006) Self-reported physical and mental health status Open-ended questions related to their experiences with health and

social care services, views about life in the London as a migrant.

Main purpose was to assess acculturation and adaptation patterns of Turkish women who live in London.

Sample = different migrant groups, both economic and forced migrants, in London boroughs with high concentration of Turkish-speaking groups (Islington, Hackney, Harringey, Stoke Newington, Turnpike Lane, Newington Green) Age: mean=34.3 yrs Length of stay in the UK: range=1-38 yrs; mean=10 yrs

Demographics

Most participants were married (66.3%), had children (77.3%) and had primary or secondary education (67.8%)

Only a quarter of participants were employed (26.9%)

The majority had either citizenship (56.5%) or Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR, 25.8%). Smaller numbers had refugee or asylum seeker status (3.4% and 3.8% respectively). Similarly, a small number had student visa or work permit only (5.4%).

Also, most migrated for family reunification or arranged marriage reasons, and came from small, peripheral cities instead of metropolitan areas of Turkey.

Difficulties in adjusting to life in UK

158 out of 264 participants (60%) had difficulties in adjusting to life in Britain

English language as a major barrier to adjusting in British life (n=98, 62.4%)

‘Cultural distance’ between home and host countries: cultural differences between Turkish and British societies (n=42) unfamiliar environment (n=14) generally, difficulty to adjust (n=19) change in the way of life (n=6)

Other difficulties: missing friends and family/homesickness (n=11), loneliness (n=7), no social life (n=7).

Difficulties in adjusting to life in UK

Daily life difficulties were less mentioned by participants: work-related problems (n=6), housing problems (n=2), financial difficulties (n=4), problems with legal status (n=3), loss of economic and social status (n=2).

Few of them (n=4) mentioned racism or discrimination as a difficulty [this was an issue explored separately by another question of the survey]

18 women stated that they have no difficulties whereas 7 of them believed that they were better in the UK, were adjusting well or had help from the UK Government and from their family

Views about life in UK: Freedom

The majority identified citizenship and gender related issues – freedom, respect, human rights, equality – as positive elements of British life (125 out of 206 participants who answered this question)

A third prioritised freedom and rights as something they valued in Britain (n=63)

Freedom was referred in relation to: social life – ‘nobody is interfering’ personal freedom and independence – ‘to express myself’, ‘making my

own decisions’, ‘to continue education’ financial freedom religion and physical appearance/clothing gender equality freedom from the social control of the origin country freedom to spend more time with their children and raise them

according to their own principles and not those of the Turkish society

Views about the UK:Rights and British lifestyle

Related to this feeling of freedom were also: – social and human rights (n=19) – for women, children and elderly, respect

(n=12), more opportunities in society (=15), security (n=5), value given to people (n=6), democratic society (n=5).

Another major area of women’s positive views of British life was the UK lifestyle and infrastructure. In particular, participants identified the UK system (n=21), physical environment n=21), infrastructure (n=20), economic conditions (n=19), and living standards (n=11): “order and system in this country”“clean and tidy environment”“you can find everything to make your life easier; well established

system; there are things for every income level”

Views about the UK:Multicultural environment and Benefits

Preference of the British multicultural environment (n=19); diversity, tolerance and cosmopolitanism were identified as important aspects of English life for these women:

“England is a cosmopolitan country”“culture here is more open to diversity”“living in a multicultural environment; having enough support for all these

minorities”“tolerance to different cultures and religions”

Importance of welfare benefits and education were also mentioned by the women (n=19 and n=12 respectively), as well as good economic conditions (n=19). When identified, these issues were mentioned as part of a society where the vulnerable are protected and supported and women can gain independence through education

Community Activism of Turkish-speaking women

Follow-up small qualitative study with 2 women’s groups in North London

Research questions:

What is the function of migrant women’s community activism? How is community activism related to personal/social change

focus of group? What are the experiences of women who are involved in these

community organisations/groups?

Selection criterion of groups: Self-help group typology according to focus of change (Hatzidimitriadou 2002) - personal or social change

Group A: Social Change

Set up in 1989 to work with and on behalf of Turkish and Kurdish people living and working in London. Women’s services form part of a larger organisation that functions as a day centre

Objective: “to help them solve their problems and promote their cultural, economic, social and democratic rights; to strengthen solidarity among themselves as well as local people; and to help their integration into the society.”

Services: Information, Advocacy, Advice Services, Political Action Funding: local authorities, charity grants, European Union Membership: 50 members and a number of volunteers

Group B: Personal Change

Set up in 1999 by a group of Turkish-Muslim intellectuals, academics and volunteers as a not-for-profit charitable organisation

Objective: “to promote tolerance, understanding, mutual respect

and acceptance of people as they are, between people from all walks of life. [Group B] actively encourages and nurtures dialogue between followers of different ideologies, different ethnic communities, adherents of different religions and members of society generally.”

Part of a network of interfaith dialogue organisations in the UK and elsewhere. Women represent half of the membership

Funding: members’ contributions Membership: 20-30 members plus 10 Friends of the Society and a

large base of volunteers

Profile of Participants

30-44 years old, married, with children

Long term stay in the UK (6-18 years); 2 were born in the UK (Group B)

Long-term involvement with the group – 5-18 years; 2 newer members (Group B)

Regular attendees of group meetings; satisfied with the group’s work and progress; getting sufficient chance to discuss issues important to them

Motivation to join

GROUP A Social responsibility – ‘as a woman and a mother’ Help people to solve their problems Social support

“With the changing conditions, women’s needs have changed. We need to work for ourselves instead of waiting for help.”

GROUP B Build bridges between communities Shared interest Best for their children

“They’re all women. We are all women. We all get up and make the children ready for the school and, you know, all

the things are the same. You know? Differences are cultural or religious or different backgrounds but it doesn’t

matter, we’re all women.”

Benefits from group involvementGROUP A GROUP B

•Empowerment

•Political action/Social change

•Self-improvement

•Awareness

•Helping people

•Information/Knowledge

•Social support/Social networks/Friendship

•Better understanding of people from different backgrounds

•Sharing experiences

•Personal development

•Women as actors

•Affecting change

•Information/Knowledge

•Social support/social networks/Friendship

Views about women’s activism: Social Change

“Now migrant women are more conscious and aware because they are participating in life more than their partners, not necessarily deliberately but because of existing division of labour in the houses and long working hours of fathers outside of the house, and so more involved in children’s education, health problems, dealing with council tax. Therefore, they are more aware of problems and they want to be part of our activities.”

(Group A member)

“In the past, [Group A] was mostly providing interpretation services but now we are aiming to unify all people here and fight for their rights. Because people come to the UK without knowing what will happen to them and whether they will settle down but now we are trying to represent ourselves in the elections.”

(Group A member)

Views about women’s activism: Personal Change

“I think as women we discuss, ... we get down to the groundwork, what fits in with our timetables and our children and that sort of thing so we can discuss…”

(Group B member)

“You know, women should, you know, obviously feel strongly about [Group B] but just being a member of any group would be beneficial, you know, whether it be a social group, whether it be a women’s group, whether it be an educational group, whether it be a dialogue group, language group… You know? Where there are people you’ve always got an opportunity to learn and develop. So, to belong to a group is always better than being isolated.”

(Group B member)

Community Activism and Change for Migrant Women

“I had a very limited education in a very small town. After knowing this organisation, I feel I am a graduate of a life university. I was in a feudal society and inhibited. Heavy responsibilities of being a migrant, not losing our identity, improving ourselves are big efforts but I am so happy I succeeded.”

(Group A member)

“When I came here I was alone and felt lonely. Through working together in [Group A] and with their support, I accomplished the things that I have now... If I were on my own, I would have lost my culture and identity and I could have lost my children because they had to live in a different environment.

(Group A member)

Community Activism and Change for Migrant Women

“From my mum’s perspective, you know, when you’re outside of the edge of something you have a lot of reason to complain that oh but this hasn’t been done and why didn’t you think of that and why… You know, my mum is always complaining about, oh, but you should have done this better. I’m, like, mum if you really want to change it you have to be involved. … and, yeah, sometimes we get things right and sometimes we get things wrong, sometimes things are like mediocre … and you think OK well, next time, you know, these are the areas that we’ve had downfalls in so we need to improve these areas. So, you know, we always say if you really want to change something you have to be involved because just like we said to be on the receiving end of services can make you… I don’t know, a bit more vacant …”

(Group B member)

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that Turkish women in London experience post-migration hardship and social transformations which impact upon the way they perceive both their home and host countries.

Even if they may have acquired formal access to citizenship, yet they are still far from substantial citizenship – being a citizen – in their new country (Castles & Davidson, 2000)

Community activism is affecting migrant women’s lives in different ways.

Self-help and mutual activities of migrant communities aid their successful integration therefore mechanisms of change should be studied more closely in these organisations/groups

More research is needed to explore in depth how migrant women’s community activism is promoting personal and collective empowerment and what is their role in communicating and advocating the health and welfare needs of immigrant communities

References

Boyd, M., & Grieco, E. (2003). Women and Migration: Incorporating Gender into International Migration Theory. Migration Information Source. Available: http://www.migrationinformation.org/Feature/display.cfm?id=106 [2006, 2 June].

Çakir, S.G., Hatzidimitriadou, E. & Aydin, G. (forthcoming). Well being of Turkish migrant women and their access to health care services in the UK. Journal of Applied Social and Community Psychology.

Çakir, S.G. & Hatzidimitriadou, E. (2006) An approach for developing a culturally appropriate research tool for migrant women. Understanding & tackling ethnic inequalities in health - An ESRC Research Seminar Series, Seminar 5: Cultural Competence & Social Research: Emic & Etic Perspectives (My View or Their View), 24 April, De Montfort University, Leicester, UK.

McFarlane, J., Malecha, A., Gist, J., Watson, K., Batten, E., Hall, I., & Sheil, S. (2002). Intimate partner violence against immigrant women: Measuring the effectiveness of protection orders. American Journal of Family Law, 16, 244-252.

Small, R., Lumley, J., & Yelland, J. (2003). Cross-cultural experiences of maternal depression: associations and contributing factors for Vietnamese, Turkish and Filipino immigrant women in Victoria, Australia. Ethnicity & Health, 8, 189-206.

Williams, F. (2002). The presence of feminism in the future of welfare. Economy and Society, 31(4), 502-519.