Non-formal learning participation as leisure for Syrian refugee women in Turkey.

Abstract

Abstract The Syrian civil war has caused thousands of deaths and the displacement of millions since 2011. Turkey currently serves as the new home to over 3.6 million refugees. Resettlement is particularly challenging for Syrian women. In addition to their patriarchal-assigned gender roles, women refugees encounter multidimensional difficulties. Unlike their male counterparts, they face overwhelming language barriers due to culturally imposed restrictions to their education in Turkey. Previous studies indicate women refugees have low levels of well-being and life satisfaction, as well as increased risk of depression. This chapter examines the types, practices, and benefits of leisure participation among Syrian refugee women in Turkey. Its findings reveal that throughout the resettlement process, leisure plays many roles, such as relieving trauma, increasing well-being and mental health, and supporting their integration into society and the labour market. Despite the abundance of learning opportunities, research on the outcomes of their participation is limited. Therefore, future studies should also focus on the effects of their participation in education to address the needs of Syrian women refugees. However, further research should be conducted on participation constraints to establish ways of encouraging refugee women's involvement in educational activities.