EFFECT OF RURAL TO URBAN MIGRATION ON WOMEN IN TURKEY FROM GENDER PERSPECTIVE: A CASE STUDY OF IZMIR PROVIENCE IN TURKEY

Rural-to-urban migration in Turkey, a phenomenon that began in the 1950s has significantly influenced women’s gender roles, status, and living standards. This paper examines the impact of rural-to-urban migration on women in Turkey, using İzmir as a case study from a gender perspective. The study employs a qualitative methodology, incorporating on interviews and observations. The findings reveal that women experience emancipation and empowerment within their families in urban areas compared to rural ones. The shift from traditional to nuclear family structures has transformed gender roles, granting women greater freedom and reducing the pressures prevalent in rural settings. The nuclear family model also fosters a more equitable and shared division of labor between men and women. However, significant challenges persist regarding women’s participation in the labor market. Systematic barriers such as societal restrictions, traditional gender roles within the society and the perception of women as cheap labor due to their low educational levels are major obstacles for integration of women into urban environments. The data indicates that women’s labor market participation in the urban areas remains limited, complicating the process of transforming gender roles.