Narratives of Women Victims of Migrant Smuggling and Human Trafficking

Abstract

Straddling the continents of Europe and Asia, Türkiye has stood as a central hub for migratory influxes over the centuries. Due to recent regional conflicts and crises, Türkiye has increasingly become a significant target and transit country for people fleeing their homelands for various reasons. The diverse routes utilized by irregular migrants to reach Türkiye and subsequently the European Union (EU) have engendered a multitude of revenue streams for migrant smugglers. These irregular migrants, subject to forced migration, become utterly vulnerable to exploitation as they traverse unmonitored regions during their hopeful journeys. This study is prepared to scrutinize the migration stories of women victims of migrant smuggling and human trafficking, who, in search of better living conditions, embark from their countries often located thousands of kilometers away, undergoing months of treacherous conditions and illegal crossings of numerous countries' borders, culminating in Türkiye. Additionally, the study addresses the Turkish Gendarmerie's endeavors in the battle against irregular migration, migrant smuggling and human trafficking. Within the framework of the study, semi-structured interviews were conducted with twelve victimized women. In conclusion, the situation of women victims of irregular migration and human trafficking is discussed and presented by engaging with the fields of international migration and gender studies.