(FEM7c) Gender, Identity and Displacement: Critical Refugee Perspectives

This session will explore the global dimensions of refugee experiences to counter the western-centric discourses on refugee labels and identities. It will challenge and depart from the hegemonic meanings of refugee identity and foreground the colonial and racial continuities embedded in the refugee discourse. Although the intersectionality lens is already being used by scholars to recognize diverse identities of refugees, intersectionality theories often reflect a western epistemological gaze. While not denying their theoretical contributions, this session proposes expanding the existing intersectionality debates and enriching them with alternative epistemologies and paradigms - emerging from multiple global geo-political scenarios, refugee movements, gendered experiences, asylum policies, refugee politics and subjectivities. Tags: Feminism, Gender, Migration and Immigration

Organizers: Mohita Bhatia, Saint Mary's University, Evangelia Tastsoglou, Saint Mary's University; Chairs: Mohita Bhatia, Saint Mary's University, Evangelia Tastsoglou, Saint Mary's University

Presentations

Dina Taha, Doha Institute for Graduate Studies

Marriage in Displacement: Gendered Resettlement Strategies of Syrian Women in Egypt

Drawing on fieldwork data from Syrian refugee women who married Egyptian men to navigate forced migration, this study explores how displacement reshapes the meaning and purpose of marriage. Many such marriages, often customary/unregistered or polygamous, are compared to forced marriage and gender-based violence. Beyond framing these unions solely as exploitation, the study investigates how displacement changes refugee women's perceptions of marriage and how marriage serves as a strategic approach to resettlement. The drive behind these marriages is motivated by a mix of affective and pragmatic interests, challenging colonial binaries like victim/agent, empowered/exploited, forced/voluntary. This case study expands the understanding of gendered and Othered refugee experiences, emphasizing the transformative potential of marriage in forced displacement contexts. In applying a decolonizing intersectional theoretical framework to this case study, I build on a growing body of literature that recognizes the ways in which Eurocentrism and the colonial legacy dictate knowledge production and North‒South collaboration. Such literature aims not only to identify tools and strategies but also to create a paradigm shift in how knowledge is produced. By recognizing and linking such work to refugee research, I seek to explore other ways of existing while emphasizing the inadequacy of some hegemonic notions in fully explaining refugee experiences. To this point, Sherene Razack (2004) argued that it is very common when adopting a "Western feminist worldview," with its cultural and historical specificity, to fall into "cultural deficit explanations" when attempting to understand and explain non-Western women's experiences, describing them often as "overly patriarchal and inherently uncivilized" (p. 129). This becomes particularly pertinent when approaching the gendered and power dynamics in this case study in ways that might reinforce the exploitation narrative of advocacy groups and social media campaigns that "Syrian refugees are cheaper, prettier, better cooks and easier to marry" (Youssef and Ismail, 2013). The paper foregrounds Syrian refugee women's narratives, acknowledging marginalized experiences that challenge Western-centric worldviews. Despite the benevolent efforts of international humanitarianism, resettlement options often reflect a victim-saviour mentality, reinforcing asymmetrical social hierarchies. Through Marriage for Refuge, the study centers gendered, self-initiated, and innovative resettlement options, shifting the discourse toward self-authorized modes of protection and "self-rescue" resettlement options. Post-displacement experiences illustrate how the meaning of an ideal marriage evolved to accommodate new social norms and unconventional choices. Displacement resulted in the loss of social capital, leaving some vulnerable but also presenting different considerations and alleviating social restrictions. Marrying again after widowhood or divorce became a viable option for social and pragmatic reasons, justified morally. 'Urfi marriage and polygamy, though socially less accepted, provided alternative paths for women to navigate marital relationships and exercise agency. The evolving understanding of marriage reflects a complex interplay between cultural, religious, and individual factors, shaping the dynamics of gender relations. The narratives challenge conventional humanitarian and liberal perspectives, revealing the malleable nature of marital and family structures beyond Western norms. While pragmatic considerations play a role in decisions, their understanding of marriage and gender identity goes beyond strategic maneuvering; rather, it emerges from culturally ascribed gender roles. Examining how the meaning of marriage has shifted for Syrian refugees, driven by identity ruptures and strategic adjustments to displacement, this study reveals the reshaping of marriage and its circumstances. Some women gained an elevated sense of control, leading to remarriage as an emerging social option. Certain women challenged the normative image of an ideal marriage, adopting unconventional forms like 'urfi (customary) marriage and polygamy. These aspects form the focal point of the analysis. The analysis expands discussions on gender, displacement, and marriage, challenging prevailing norms and offering new perspectives beyond colonial binary categories. The intertwining of marriage and resettlement shows how marriage becomes a self-initiated form of refuge, providing legal, economic, social, and moral support. The prevailing notion of a "real" marriage is decentered, emphasizing the significance of extended family dynamics and leveraging socially ascribed gender roles in asserting moral agency and gaining empowerment and autonomy. Furthermore, the study highlights how refugee women exercise agency and autonomy within their cultural contexts, considering moral considerations and strategic maneuvering in their marriage decisions as part of their pursuit of self-interest.

Samantha DeBoer, York University

The Framing of the Feminization of Forced Displacement: A Critical Discourse Analysis of Representations of Refugee Women

The feminization of forced displacement is a phenomenon with a disproportionate percentage of women and girls who are displaced worldwide, which has increasing consequences for women and calls for protection strategies to recognize these consequences. Refugee women are victimized through the representational discourse in terms of how they are spoken about and their visual depictions (Johnson, 2011). The paper examines the discursive practices that frame the issue of the feminization of forced displacement and construct representations of refugee women. Arguing that the discourse that constructs representations of refugee women has implications for their protection and integration in their resettlement community, this paper explores contributing factors to these global narratives, which are informed by Orientalism, to discover potential interventions. The methodology of critical discourse analysis and feminist theoretical framework uncovers how discourses shape the reality for refugee women, with the consideration of the intersectionality of their experiences. Feminist theory informs the conceptual framework of the gender binary, gender and cultural essentialism, representations of victimhood, and the discourse of victimization, which are applied to a critical discourse analysis of the UNHCR Handbook for the Protection of Women and Girls. This paper argues that the linguistic constructs and discursive practice contribute to misrepresentations of refugee women. The constructs perpetuate inequalities and reinforce homogenous representations of a diversity of experiences and identities of refugee women. The critical discourse analysis examines how the language and terms acquire underlying meanings which construct knowledge and ‘truth’, in addition to re-inscribing hierarchical power relations through discourse. Analysis of this issue uncovers the complexities of power, language, and policy in framing the experiences of refugee women. This paper finds that the dominant discourse constructs displaced women as passive victims, without recognition of their agency, resilience, and diverse experiences based on their identities. The implications of these discursive framings on policy and advocacy are explored in the Canadian refugee settlement sector, which underscores the importance of inclusive and effective approaches to addressing the needs of refugee women. The findings demonstrate that the constructs of refugee women perpetuate inequalities and reinforce stereotypes through ‘othering’, which can lead to misunderstanding of their intersectional experiences and ineffective response in the realm of international and national governance. This research contributes to a critical understanding of the intersectionality of gender, displacement, and power dynamics of discursive framing while centering the agency and experiences of refugee women through advocating for a nuanced approach to their representation in international policy documents. This topic is of increasing concern in the fields of gender studies, migration studies, and humanitarian discourse. This paper will contribute valuable insights into refugee women’s experiences and identities as represented in a guiding UNHCR document that impacts their acceptance, integration, and settlement. This paper is also relevant to the conference theme through its connection to sustaining shared futures of representation and response to refugee women’s experiences, as the global refugee crisis and feminization of forced displacement continue to be exacerbated by societal, political, economic, religious, and environmental conflict.

Leila Hoballah, Lebanese University

Canada my new home: Exploring the meaning of identity and home. Case study: Syrian refugee women in Ottawa

Despite the discontent from the “West”, and its hegemonic discourse about immigration and refugees, the use of these concepts and their definitions are adopted and promoted in the academic narrative, and policymaking in the “East”, not confined to international laws and regulations, but at the level of creating the meaning and its representation about the “otherness” of refugees (Derrida 2000, Said 1979). The emanation of Immigration and refugee status, as a new phenomenon in the 20th century, has its deep roots in human history, as a tribal search to settle and survive, and usually identify themselves by belonging to certain place. But the shift one could argue is in changing narrative about this phenomenon, from a discourse of functionality to a discourse of power relation, from what it meant to the immigrant/refugee, to how it is defined by international narrative, and imposed by laws. The purpose of this paper is to uncover new layers of knowledge, and significance of meaning, through personal experiences. This paper will examine the significance of identity and the concept of home, as expressed by Syrian refugee women. It is not about refugee theoretical discourse, pathways, models, or process of integration and inclusiveness, it is about meaning the women attribute to their experiences, as refugees, in everyday life, of what is “identity” and where is “home”. The study will interview 20 Syrian women in Ottawa, who immigrated to Canada between November 2015 and 2023. Those women came from different intermediate countries through their journey from Syria to Canada, as they have been refugees first in Lebanon, Jordan and Turkey. The sample will take into consideration different ethnicity, Arabs and Kurds, different religion, Islam and Christianity, and various levels of education and social status. From November 2015 to November 2023, Canada has welcomed around 44,655 Syrian refugees (IRCC Data), out of them, 21,755 Female. 10,330 of the Females are 17 years old and under, and 11,425 Females are 17 years old and above. In which they have been resettled in Canada, through different immigration streams; government assisted refugees, blended sponsorship refugees, privately sponsored refugees, and refugee claimant. This exploration aims to contribute valuable insights into the experiences of Syrian refugee women in Ottawa, shedding light on the intricate interplay between identity, home, and the perception of what it means to be a refugee. We think that this paper will add to the present narrative and discourses, a methodological contribution to study the meanings of home and identity, through an ethnographic fieldwork in Ottawa. It will assist in the formation of a counter narrative about refugees, outside of the adopted universal model. The research methodology will include qualitative in-depth interviews, with Syrian refugee women to gather personal narratives, experiences, and reflections on their identity and home. The administration of surveys and questionnaires will help to collect quantitative data, allowing for a broader understanding of trends and commonalities. As well as engaging in participant observation in the community, attending events, and activities to gain a deeper understanding of their daily lives and interactions. This qualitative method will be base on interpretive epistemology, that assumes social reality to be constructed and evolving (Marsh and Stoker, 2002) emphasizes the importance of subjective understanding, context, and meaning in the study of the social world.