Women's Experiences Research Articles

Experiences of indigenous women of New Zealand (Māori) in engineering and engineering trades

ABSTRACT To address the underrepresentation of Māori women in engineering and engineering trades, it is imperative to understand the experiences of those already engaged in these fields. This study focuses on the lived experience of five Māori women in New Zealand and hopes to inspire more Māori women to join these professions. The study explored three pivotal phases of women’s lives through in-depth interviews: background and upbringing, experiences during education, and encounters in the profession. The research aims to identify barriers encountered by these women and the strategies they employed to navigate their journeys. Common themes, which emerged from this study include identity development, stereotyping, cultural identity, determination, and support and encouragement. Lack of information about different careers in schools has resulted most participants taking an indirect pathway to their professions. This underscores the significance of offering timely career guidance in schools about different professions. The study also highlights the importance of dismantling gender stereotypes from an early age and engaging in hands-on activities to ignite women’s interest in engineering and engineering trades. These stories illustrate how resilience and support networks empower women to achieve professional success, emphasising the significance of respecting cultural identity for fostering equity and inclusion.

Factors Affecting Sport-Related Concussion Non-Disclosure in Women’s Rugby—A Multi-Country Qualitative Analysis

Background and Objectives: Collision-sport athletes, such as rugby players, are at risk of sport-related concussion (SRC). Women are known to be at higher risk of SRC and may experience more severe and chronic symptomology than men. Knowledge of the factors that affect a player’s disclosure of their concussive symptoms could help to inform strategies to improve compliance with reporting and management of head injuries. The aim of this study was to investigate the factors that may impact women rugby players’ disclosure of a concussion. Methods: Twenty-eight adult (≥18 years of age) elite and semi-elite women rugby players from the UK and Ireland (n = 17) and the United States (n = 11) were interviewed on their playing background and SRC experience in women’s rugby via one-on-one interviews (UK and Ireland) or an online questionnaire (US). Results: SRC data were analysed inductively using a thematic analysis approach to determine the potential reasons for SRC non-disclosure in women’s rugby. Four main themes were identified which may influence a player’s SRC non-disclosure: 1. women rugby players are self-managing SRC; 2. work-related concerns impact on SRC disclosure; 3. players and support staff lack knowledge on SRC management; and 4. poor internal and external communication affect the support players receive when injured. Conclusions: The findings were consistent across players from different countries. This research highlighted several factors that may impact on women rugby players’ disclosure of SRC regardless of country of origin (UK, Ireland, or US) and access to concussion care. Coaches and management teams should be aware of these reasons, which may enhance how they discuss and manage concussion. There is a clear need for further education on concussion for players and support staff and for strategies to create environments where women can openly discuss their concussion concerns.

Using feminist methodologies to explore female genital mutilation/cutting and child marriage in low- and middle-income contexts

This paper discusses how harmful practices such as child marriage and female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) can be effectively explored through feminist methodologies that center the lived experiences of girls and young women affected by these issues. Eliminating harmful practices, which are rooted in gender inequality and have myriad life-course consequences for those who experience them, has become a global priority in recent years. However, dominant conceptualizations of the drivers and consequences of child marriage and FGM/C often fail to adequately engage with or reflect adolescent girls' own nuanced experiences and perceptions. A feminist epistemology underlines the need for research methods that can uncover and address dynamics of power and inequality, as well as the complexities of voice and agency surrounding these practices, both of which perpetuate harmful practices and marginalize the voices of those who are most affected. The paper discusses adaptations to two key sets of methodological tools used with adolescent girls in research on FGM/C in Ethiopia and on child marriage in Bangladesh, Ethiopia, Jordan, and Lebanon as part of the Gender and Adolescence: Global Evidence (GAGE) longitudinal study. The purpose of these tools was to address and shift power inequalities, both within the research process and in girls' lives more widely. The Social Network Hexagon, Marriage Chain, and Marriage Decision-Making Pairs tools were used to explore child marriage decision-making processes and dynamics and outcomes for adolescent girls. A vignette-based discussion on FGM/C and child marriage and a version of a Social Network Hexagon tool were used to improve understanding of adolescents' social networks and the extent to which these shape their options for change. We find that context-specific adaptations to the tools, determined through ongoing reflexive dialogue with local researchers, were key to creating space for deep reflection and engagement by girls. Exploring the wider structural and social dynamics that enable and constrain girls' agency and decision-making around harmful practices was also key. It enabled insights into the complex ways in which gender- and age-based social norms are exercised within girls' socio-ecological contexts, as well as possible entry points for change.

The relationship between delivery fear and childbirth experience with the level of adherence to the WHO recommendations for a positive childbirth experience in Iranian women: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundChildbirth experience is a unique event that involves psychological and physiological aspects influenced by social, environmental, organizational, and political factors. In 2018, the World Health Organization (WHO) introduced 56 recommendations for ensuring a positive childbirth experience at different stages of labor and delivery. Owing to the importance of implementing these guidelines, we have chosen to assess adherence to the WHO recommendations and their association with the fear and experience of childbirth.MethodsThis cross-sectional study was conducted on women hospitalized in the labor departments of the Al-Zahra and Taleghani Educational centers in Tabriz, Iran from 2023 to 2024. Sampling was performed via a convenience method, and data were collected via sociodemographic characteristics questionnaire, childbirth experience questionnaire.2 (CEQ.2), delivery fear scale (DFS), and the WHO recommendation checklist. The data were analyzed via Pearson correlation, independent t tests, one-way analysis of variance, and a general linear model (GLM).ResultsThe average adherence score to the WHO recommendations among the women studied was 36.4 (SD 9.3), out of a range of 0–56. There was a significant negative correlation between adherence to the recommendations and delivery fear (r = − 0.249; p < 0.001) and a significant positive correlation with childbirth experience (r = 0.414; p < 0.001). The GLM results, after adjusting for sociodemographic variables, revealed a significant increase in positive childbirth experience with increasing adherence score (B = 0.01; 95% CI 0.005 to 0.02, p = 0.001) and a nonsignificant association between delivery fear and adherence score (B = − 0.1; 95% CI − 0.4 to 0.04, p = 0.114).ConclusionThis study highlights the need to improve the implementation of WHO recommendations in educational and therapeutic centers and to consider various factors that affect the experience and fear of childbirth. Policymakers and medical center managers should place greater emphasis on training, monitor the complete implementation of the recommendations, and provide psychological and social support to pregnant women. This approach can help improve the childbirth experience, reduce delivery fear, and increase the preference for natural childbirth.

Feminine Re-Narrating the Nation in Nawal El Saadawi’s: A Daughter of Isis

This study introduces a postcolonial feminist analysis of Nawal El Saadawi's A Daughter of Isis, focusing on the lived experiences of Egyptian women within the intersections of gender, colonialism, and religion. It examines how patriarchal structures and colonial legacies collectively shape women's roles and identities in Egyptian society. Central to this analysis is El Saadawi's challenge of oppressive cultural and religious traditions, including female genital mutilation and gender-restrictive roles, highlighting women's resistance against systemic inequities. The study explores the strategies employed by women to assert their agency and reshape narratives of national and personal identity amidst patriarchal dominance. Additionally, it critiques El Saadawi's use of autobiography as a tool for resistance, emphasizing the re-narration of history through marginalized voices. By intertwining personal memory with broader socio-political critique, El Saadawi reclaims women's voices, offering a nuanced perspective on identity formation and the quest for justice in a postcolonial context.

Diasporic Cosmopolitanism and Digital (Dis)Connectivity Among Turkish Women in Rome

This study advances the field of disconnection studies by examining how digital (dis)connective practices intersect with diasporic identity construction and the articulation of belonging, focusing on the experiences of Turkish migrant women in Rome. Based on in-depth interviews and participant observation with 10 Turkish women, the research highlights the central role of social class in the emergence of a “diasporic cosmopolitan” identity that is culturally and socially detached from, or even opposed to, their national identity. It further shows how this “cosmopolitan” identity intersects with the performance of specific digital (dis)connective practices and explores the cultural, political, and social dimensions of these dynamics. Particular attention is given to the influence of contemporary Turkish politics on online and offline diasporic sociality, which fosters tensions and segmented solidarities. Through this lens, the study identifies emergent forms of digital (dis)connective practices among Turkish women in Rome, which shape transnational and local social alliances and disruptions.

Exploring perceptions and experiences of gender-based violence among women in a refugee camp setting in Uganda-A qualitative study.

Gender-based violence (GBV) is an internationally widespread human rights and public health issue, known to be exacerbated and underreported in humanitarian settings and among conflict-affected populations. A combination of factors including increased vulnerability, lack of protection and marginalization are believed to increase the risk for GBV in settings such as displacement and refugee camps. An increased understanding of GBV in these populations is needed to inform and improve future policy changes and interventions. This qualitative study sought to explore women's perceptions and experiences of GBV in a refugee camp setting in Uganda to increase the understanding of the dynamics and risk contexts of GBV in the context of displacement and refugee camps. This was a qualitative study based on individual semi-structured interviews and content analysis. The interviews were conducted during October 2023 with women living in a refugee camp setting in Western Uganda. The participants (N = 13) included female refugees, residing in the refugee camp, above eighteen years of age and who were survivors of GBV. Findings showed no easy escape route from gender-based violence, with a high exposure to GBV throughout the refugee experience. The nature of GBV, the perpetrators and risk contexts however seemed to shift throughout the process from conflict to the refugee camp. Increased marginalization and lack of resources compounded by a shift in gender roles in the refugee camp where women seemed to assume the role of the primary provider increased the risk of violence in pursuit of basic needs. Women described extensive intimate partner violence (IPV) in the camp often connected to new gendered power dynamics and the control of resources. Faced with the struggles of migration, marginalization, and GBV, women displayed various coping mechanisms including rebuilding networks and support systems. Our study showed the complexity of GBV in settings such as refugee camps, where various structural and individual changes involved in migration and life in a refugee camp seemed to create new risk contexts for GBV both inside and outside of the household. Interventions across various dimensions including addressing underlying conditions of marginalization and gendered power dynamics are therefore warranted to address GBV in refugee camps. Further research is essential to better understand this complex issue, as well as the perception and effectiveness of services and interventions in place.

Intimate Partner Violence During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Qualitative Study About Dynamics and Help-Seeking Experiences of Immigrant Women in Portugal

Intimate Partner Violence During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Qualitative Study About Dynamics and Help-Seeking Experiences of Immigrant Women in Portugal

Menopause symptom burden and management across rural, suburban, and urban settings in a US population.

The aim of this study was to compare menopause experience in rural, suburban, and urban-residing women. A 2019 online survey of US females queried respondents on menopause symptoms, resources, and treatments. Those ≥45 years of age and in late menopause transition or postmenopause were included in the analysis. Late menopause transition and postmenopause subgroups were stratified by rural, suburban, and urban residence, and age-weighted proportions for menopause symptoms and treatments were calculated and compared using chi-square tests. A total of 1,531 respondents, 45% (n = 686) late menopause transition, mean age of 50.7 (SD 3.9) and 55% (n = 845) postmenopause, and mean age of 65.1 (SD 8.5) were included. More prevalent symptoms in late menopause transition rural residents were as follows: muscle aches and pains (urban: 49%, suburban: 49%, rural: 65%, P = 0.003), and panic attacks (urban: 18%, suburban: 24%, rural: 30%, P = 0.04). More prevalent symptoms in postmenopause rural residents were as follows: mood swings (urban: 18%, suburban: 14%, rural: 23%, P = 0.02), urinary incontinence (urban: 19%, suburban: 14%, rural: 23%, P = 0.02), and vaginal dryness (urban: 22%, suburban: 29%, rural: 37%, P = 0.004). Vasomotor symptom prevalence was high (71% late menopause transition, 20% postmeopause), but current menopause hormone therapy use was low (11% late menopause transition, 11% postmenopause) and did not differ by residence, despite differences in menopausal resources used. Rural women may experience greater burden of psychological and somatic menopause symptoms but not vasomotor symptoms. Overall low rates of menopause hormone therapy use suggest a need for education regarding hormone therapy, tailored to residential groups who rely on different resources on healthy aging.

Sexual orientation and sexual functioning in midlife women veterans.

Midlife women experience menopause- and aging-related health changes that may impact sexual functioning. Research has historically relied on heteronormative constructs of sexuality, and little is known about the experiences of sexual minority women (SMW) during menopause. We therefore examined whether indices of sexual function differed between SMW and heterosexual midlife women Veterans. Data were drawn from a cross-sectional survey designed to examine midlife women Veterans' experiences of menopause and aging. Participants self-reported sexual orientation, sociodemographic characteristics, vaginal symptoms, past-month engagement in sexual activity, and pain with sexual activity with structured-item responses. Sexual function was assessed with validated questionnaires. Logistic and linear regression models examined group differences adjusted for age, education, race, menopause status, and body mass index. In this sample (n = 232, mean age = 56.0, SD = 5.14), 25% self-identified as SMW. Relative to heterosexual women, SMW were more likely to endorse recent sexual activity (odds ratio [OR], 2.20; 95% confidence interval [CI], 11.13-4.30), less likely to report pain during sex (OR, 0.07; 95% CI, 0.16-0.32), less likely to report past-month vaginal symptoms (OR, 0.33; 95% CI, 0.17-0.66), and endorsed lower impact of vaginal symptoms on sexual function (β = -0.24; 95% CI, -0.97 to -0.26). Both groups reported high levels of distress related to sexual dysfunction (sample mean = 19.9, SD = 8.0). Midlife SMW Veterans reported better sexual functioning and less impact of vaginal symptoms compared with heterosexual peers. Despite this, both groups reported high levels of distress related to sexual function.

Proposals for integrated public management of the menopausal transition and postmenopause through Spanish women's experiences: a qualitative study

IntroductionIn Spain, legislation protecting women during the menopausal transition and postmenopause is still in its early stages. For public policies to be effective, it is essential that their design, implementation, and evaluation actively involve women going through this stage. Only from their experience and perspective can the impact of measures be maximized and ensure that they truly respond to their needs and realities. The goal of this article is to identify and analyze proposals for action that public organizations in Spain could undertake to improve the management of and transition through menopause. On the basis of the initiatives identified through women's narratives, this study aims to establish a solid basis for the inclusion of future governmental policies and practices in Spain. Adapting to the economic conditions and sociocultural aspects specific to each region can stimulate reflection and debate on their policies regarding menopause.MethodsThis qualitative study, which was conducted in Spain, was based on 20 semistructured interviews with women who had experienced physiological and symptomatic menopause in the last five years, were postmenopausal, and were actively employed. The interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and analyzed following an inductive thematic analysis.ResultsThe stories of the interviewees indicate three categories of government action comprising a set of specific measures. More specifically, the categories relate to: (a) proposals for accompaniment and social awareness, (b) educational and training proposals, and (c) political and regulatory proposals.ConclusionsThis study identifies governmental proposals and specific actions to improve support for the menopausal transition and postmenopause in Spain. While its findings may be applicable to other countries, further research is needed to explore how they could be adapted to the different socioeconomic and cultural realities of those contexts. Ultimately, the proposals presented lay the groundwork for developing public policies and laws that respond to the needs of women, improving their well-being and promoting gender equity in public health.

Reasons for unsafe abortion in Iran after pronatalist policy changes: a qualitative study

BackgroundIn Iran, restrictive abortion laws have led to widespread unsafe abortions, posing significant health risks. The 2021 Family and Youth Protection Law further restricted access to reproductive health services in an effort to boost birth rates. The purpose of this qualitative study is to explore the reasons women sought abortions in an illegal context, based on their own experiences.MethodsThis exploratory qualitative study involved in-depth interviews with 46 women in Kermanshah, Iran, between April and August 2024. All participants had experienced incomplete abortions after undergoing unsafe procedures. Data were analyzed using conventional content analysis and thematic analysis with MAXQDA 10 software to identify key themes in the women's experiences. To ensure the study's rigor, we applied Guba and Lincoln’s criteria, including credibility, dependability, confirmability, and transferability.ResultsFive main themes emerged from the interviews: economic hardship, pursuit of a prosperous life, unstable marital relationships, health and fertility issues, and cultural factors. Economic challenges, such as unemployment and lack of basic necessities, were the most frequently cited reasons for seeking unsafe abortions. Health issues, including unplanned pregnancies and fear of fetal anomalies, also played a significant role, alongside cultural stigmas related to age, illegitimacy, and gender preferences.ConclusionThis study sheds light on the multifaceted factors driving unsafe abortions in Iran following pronatalist policy changes. A holistic approach is recommended to address the interconnected economic, social, and cultural challenges that contribute to this issue. By implementing such comprehensive strategies, policymakers and stakeholders can work to reduce the prevalence of unsafe abortion practices and foster improved health and well-being for women.

Being a Woman Politician on the Isle of Man: How Smallness Explains Political Culture

Abstract This article explores the distinctive experience of women as legislators in a small democracy, drawing on a multimethod study of the Isle of Man. Experiences of gender in a small democracy’s politics are not merely quantitatively different, for instance in terms of constituents per representative; but qualitatively different as a result of the interconnected ramifications of quantitative differences. We find pervasive effects from the absence of strong party institutionalization, the intersection of intimacy and vulnerability, and the constraints of strictly limited capacity. Understanding gender and politics in a small democracy is an important contribution to island feminism, and acts as a corrective to an understanding of the interrelations of gender and politics within democratic constitutions based only on the experience of women in large democracies. The study also shows the pervasive importance of smallness even for a European democracy with close cultural ties to a large democracy.

Decisions to decline breast screening and/or breast cancer treatment based on the potential harms of overdiagnosis and overtreatment: a qualitative study

ObjectivesTo explore the experiences of women who have made the decision to decline breast screening and/or breast cancer treatment for overdiagnosis/overtreatment reasons after being invited to the National Health Service...

Women's perspectives to improve prenatal care for gestational diabetes: A systematic review and meta-aggregation of qualitative studies.

In numerous qualitative primary studies, women have identified opportunities to improve prenatal gestational diabetes care. The objective of our systematic review and meta-aggregation was to synthesize patient-guided suggestions for improving prenatal gestational diabetes care that are informed by lived experience of women and their support persons. This study was registered a priori on PROSPERO (CRD42023394014). Our search strategy was executed in five databases (Medline, PsycInfo, CINAHL, Scopus, and Web of Science). Primary studies that were qualitative, had full texts in English, studied women who have or had gestational diabetes or their support persons, and included experiential accounts on prenatal gestational diabetes care were included. No date restrictions were applied. Studies that were not qualitative, were secondary analyses, included data on only postpartum care, or evaluated an intervention that was not standard care were excluded. Two independent authors used Covidence software to facilitate screening. The outcomes of interest were patient-reported suggestions to improve quality of gestational diabetes care that are informed by women's or their support persons' accounts of the lived experience of gestational diabetes. Meta-aggregation followed by a thematic synthesis approach was used to analyze the qualitative data to identify women's perspectives to improve gestational diabetes care. After duplicate removal, a total of 4761 studies underwent screening and a total of 80 studies were ultimately included. Patient- and support persons-reported suggestions to improve care include timely and comprehensive education around gestational diabetes with active engagement of family members, personalized and tailored counseling, patient-centered care, incorporation of digital or online adjuncts to care, and increasing support for women. Our systematic review and meta-aggregation identifies several actionable and patient-guided suggestions to improve prenatal gestational diabetes care that are important to consider when embarking on clinical quality improvement.

Communal Load Sharing of Miscarriage Experiences: Thematic Analysis of Social Media Community Support.

Miscarriage is a common experience, affecting 15% of recognized pregnancies, but societal ignorance and taboos often downplay the mental distress and personal impact following a miscarriage. Emerging stories on social media in which women express their miscarriage grief are breaking such taboos. Research in the area of online health communities is increasingly focused on studying how people share their health experiences on social media. However, a clear understanding on the social support involved in this type of sharing of health experiences is lacking. This study explored the use of Instagram in sharing miscarriage experiences, guided by the following research question: How is social community support given to women who share their miscarriage experiences on social media? Considering that social media is increasingly used as a source of social support, in this study, we chose Instagram as the social media platform. The purpose of this research was to create a better understanding of how social media provides support in expressing personal miscarriage experiences and how people engage with such posts. This study used a qualitative inductive research method in which a phenomenological strategy and thematic analysis were followed to create a comprehensive understanding of the social community support phenomenon. The dataset was established from a sample of 258 Instagram posts and 736 comments collected over a period of 6 months after initial posts and from 6 different women. These data were categorized and clustered through a thematic analysis. Three themes were identified: (1) storytelling of emotional turmoil and grief after miscarriage, (2) sharing positivity amidst miscarriage grief, and (3) mentioning personal medical information about miscarriage. Theme 1 represents the emotional experience of women who have had a miscarriage. It encompasses the initial posts that included miscarriage storytelling that express deep grief and mental distress and the emotional impact on both the posters and the commenters. Theme 2 highlights the importance of finding moments of joy and positivity in the midst of mental distress and pain. The posts shared with the online community convey a sense of moving forward and a refusal to let grief become the defining aspect of one's life. Theme 3 focuses on sharing medical and practical advice. This theme includes posts and comments about medications, in vitro fertilization procedures, hospital experiences, and personal physical symptoms. As an overarching theme for this social support phenomenon, we introduce the term communal load sharing to describe the therapeutic role of social media in helping women cope with miscarriage by providing a platform for sharing similar experiences, breaking social taboos, and fostering load sharing.

Victim–Survivors Accounts of Men's Change: Findings From a Combined Alcohol and Other Drug Use and Domestic Violence Intervention

Purpose: This article is a process evaluation of a previously published outcome study. It provides an exploratory analysis of victim–survivor accounts of behavior change among men participating in a combined alcohol and other drug and domestic violence intervention and women's experiences of family safety contact services. Methods: Interviews with victim–survivors ( n = 10) and program participants ( n = 9). Results: Findings illustrate three patterns: victim–survivor accounts validating, challenging, and offering more nuanced perspectives on men's reports of behavior change. Conclusions: This article argues that victim–survivor engagement in behavior change programs is critical to assess and monitor risk to victim–survivors and other family members, validate other outcome measures related to men's behavior change (or lack thereof), and provide victim–survivor access to support.

A Rapid Review of Perinatal Healthcare Experiences of Women With Substance Use Disorders

A Rapid Review of Perinatal Healthcare Experiences of Women With Substance Use Disorders

Adaptability as a Journey: A Constructivist Grounded Theory Study Exploring the Transition to Motherhood in the Context of Bipolar Disorder.

Despite growing evidence that women with bipolar disorder (BD) diagnoses are at a particularly increased risk for perinatal mental and physical health complications, our understanding of their experiences and support needs from pre-conception to early postnatal years is still in its early stages. To address this gap, a qualitative study was carried out employing a constructivist grounded theory approach to identify the underlying processes shaping women's journeys to motherhood in the context of BD. In-depth, semi-structured online interviews were conducted with 10 mothers worldwide with a pre-existing diagnosis of BD and a first child under 5years of age. Mothers' experiences revolved around a constant interplay between vulnerability and adaptability, leading to the development of the substantive theory of adaptability as a journey. This study proposes that becoming adaptable constitutes a process, with the concept of "projecting adaptability" being influential in this journey. Characterized by the interconnected elements of self-awareness of vulnerability, perceived support from external sources, and ownership of experiences, the ability to envision an adaptable version of oneself along with understanding the path to achieving it played a significant role in women's experiences. Overall, there is a need for a more dynamic understanding of these experiences, providing appropriate support rather than viewing women as simply vulnerable or adaptable. Further research is necessary to explore the transferability of this theoretical framework, especially among mothers from diverse socio-economic backgrounds.

Resilience Amidst Uncertainty: a Sustainable Development Goals Perspective on Undocumented Afghan Women's Experiences in Zeytinburnu

Objective: This study analyzes undocumented Afghan women migrants' experiences in Zeytinburnu, Istanbul, through the UN Sustainable Development Goals framework, emphasizing SDG 5 (Gender Equality), SDG 1 (No Poverty), and SDG 4 (Quality Education). Theoretical Framework: This study combines transnational migration theory, feminist perspectives, and sustainable development concepts. It examines how cultural identity, gender dynamics, and undocumented status intersect in shaping Afghan women migrants' experiences. This intersectional approach reveals the complex realities these women face in their new environment. Method: Qualitative research conducted at Istanbul Afghan Women's Association (IAWA). Methodology included semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders and analysis of 490 IAWA application forms. Thematic analysis was performed, aligning findings with SDGs, particularly emphasizing education, poverty, and gender equality dimensions. Results and Discussion: Findings reveal significant challenges for these women, including social exclusion, economic marginalization, and limited access to education and services due to their undocumented status and persistent patriarchal norms. Traditional gender practices, reinforced by community elders, continue to restrict women's autonomy in the diaspora. Despite these obstacles, the research highlights Afghan women's remarkable resilience in developing survival strategies and maintaining hope for a better future. Research Implications: The study contributes to the growing body of literature on transnational migration and gender studies by providing insights into the lived experiences of undocumented Afghan women in Turkey. It emphasizes the need for intersectional approaches in addressing the multifaceted nature of social exclusion faced by these women. Originality/Value: The study's originality lies in its application of the SDG framework to analyze the specific context of Afghan women migrants in Zeytinburnu, offering a comprehensive understanding of their challenges and potential pathways for sustainable solutions.