SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC PROBLEMS OF SYRIAN WOMEN REFUGEES: EXAMPLE OF KARAMAN TEMPORARY TRAINING CENTER

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to reveal the reasons of socio-economic problems Syrian Asylum seekers faced and to propose the solution recommendations to socio-cultural integration to occur. The research was carried out in Sakarya with 5 Female participants attending Turkish courses in Karaman Temporary Training Center, supported by National Education Directorate, Civil Society Organizations and local governments. An in-depth interview form measuring social and economic problems of the Syrian women in 5 different dimensions was applied. 15 codes has been generated in 5 dimensions from the descriptive analysis of the data gathered from the implemented in-depth interview forms. As a result of the research, It was concluded that the biggest problem Syrian Asylum Seekers encounter is that They do not know Turkish. Since they do not know Turkish, they can not make sense of their lives,They can not find a job to maintain their lives and it causes economic deprivation. Because of the male-dominanted cultural structure of the Syrian Society, Women are taken a dim view of working in men’s environment. This situation prevents the woman from learning the Turkish on the public area by going out from the private space. Theirs not being able to learn Turkish also hinders them to communicate socially with Turkish neighbours in trust based. Syrian Women are obliged to learn Turkish in a limited amount from their children who are studying in Turkey. Turkish language education and vocational courses need to be popularized to help Syrian Asylum Seekers to achieve cultural integration and to exceed socio-economic problems in the Turkish society. At the same time, Providing nursery and transportation in these Courses will ensure Syrian Women to attend more to these courses. Public institutions and local government agencies have important duties for the dissemination of Turkish language education and vocational courses towards to Syrian Asylum Seekers.