Conditionalities of Precarity: The Case of Syrian Refugee Women in Izmir, Turkey

This paper investigates the precarity of refugee women through the lens of “conditionalities”, focusing on how vulnerability and productivity are interwoven in shaping their experiences. Specifically, it examines: How do social, institutional, and individual factors interact to shape the conditionalities of Syrian refugee women in Izmir, and how do these conditionalities impact their labor market integration? The paper contributes to the conceptualization of the gendered dynamics of refugee precarization, situating it within broader discussions of deservingness and vulnerability. By exploring how conditionality connects social practices, structural opportunities, and individual agency, it critically analyzes the multiple and often contradictory expectations placed on refugee women. Drawing on semi-structured interviews with 23 experts and 25 Syrian women, the paper identifies four key arenas: institutional inclusion/exclusion, (re)productive labor, (in)visibility, and temporariness/permanence—through which intersecting forms of in-betweenness emerge. These arenas illuminate the tension refugee women face between demonstrating vulnerability to access rights and productivity to integrate into the labor market. The paper concludes by addressing the implications of these findings for migration policies, proposing localized and gender-sensitive strategies, including educational initiatives, part-time training and employment opportunities, and social support mechanisms that consider the unique conditionalities shaping refugee women's lives.