"Access Gaps as Drivers of Vulnerability"-Access to social services for refugees through the lens of vulnerability: An intersectional analysis in Türkiye
BRITISH JOURNAL OF SOCIAL WORK, 2026 (SSCI, Scopus)
- Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
- Basım Tarihi: 2026
- Doi Numarası: 10.1093/bjsw/bcag100
- Dergi Adı: BRITISH JOURNAL OF SOCIAL WORK
- Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI), Scopus, IBZ Online, Periodicals Index Online, CINAHL, Educational research abstracts (ERA), Index Islamicus, Psycinfo, Social Science Premium Collection (ProQuest), Health Research Premium Collection (ProQuest), Pharma Collection (ProQuest), Sociology Database (ProQuest), Sociology Source Ultimate (EBSCO)
- Kocaeli Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet
Özet
This study investigates the vulnerabilities arising from refugees' legal and social status in T & uuml;rkiye, focusing on barriers to accessing social assistance, care, protection, and shelter services. Using an intersectionality framework, it examines how overlapping identities and systemic obstacles compound refugees' marginalization and exacerbate their vulnerabilities within social service provision. This study employs a phenomenological approach within qualitative research to explore the experiences of professionals working with refugee populations in T & uuml;rkiye. Data were collected through semi-structured in-depth interviews with thirty-three professionals selected via purposive and snowball sampling methods across six different cities in T & uuml;rkiye. Three main themes emerged through thematic analysis of the qualitative data. The findings show that refugees' access to services in T & uuml;rkiye is shaped by legal status, nationality, gender, age, and disability, resulting in unequal access to rights. Despite the expansion of social assistance mechanisms, structural barriers persist; additionally, social assistance programs lack an intersectional approach and remain largely family-oriented. Furthermore, fragmented and limited provision of care, protection, and shelter services further deepens vulnerability, particularly among women, children, persons with disabilities, and older refugees. When refugees flee to Turkey seeking safety, they often find themselves trapped in a system that creates new forms of vulnerability rather than providing protection. This study examined how Turkey's social services work for refugees by interviewing thirty-three professionals who provide support across six Turkish cities. The researchers discovered that access to essential services like healthcare, housing assistance, and protection depends heavily on factors beyond refugees' control, including their country of origin, legal status, gender, age, and disability. The study reveals a troubling pattern: Turkey's assistance programs often work against refugees' long-term well-being. For example, when refugees find jobs, they immediately lose financial aid, forcing many to work illegally for low wages instead of pursuing legal employment. Syrian refugees receive different treatment from Afghan or Iranian refugees, creating divisions and inequality. Women, children, elderly people, and those with disabilities face additional barriers, while single men and sexual orientation and gender identity minorities are often excluded entirely. Rather than providing a safety net, Turkey's current system creates what researchers call a "hierarchy of vulnerability," where some refugees are deemed more deserving of help than others. The findings suggest that structural changes to social services are urgently needed to ensure all refugees can access the support they need to rebuild their lives safely.