Transnationalism and Social Control of Female Chechen Refugees: Comparative Analysis of Women Fleeing Domestic Violence and Political Persecution

This study addresses a gap in migration literature by examining the transnational experiences of refugee women, particularly those fleeing political persecution and domestic violence. While previous scholarship has extensively explored migrant transnational ties, much of the focus has been on political refugees and their political activities. This research adds an intersectional lens by analyzing how the motive for migration—whether political persecution or domestic violence—shapes women’s engagement in transnational social fields. Drawing on 40 biographical interviews with Chechen refugee women in Poland, the study finds that women escaping political persecution were more likely to engage in social, cultural, and economic transnational activities compared to those fleeing domestic violence. The latter group often sought to sever ties with their home countries due to fear of being found by their perpetrators. The article introduces the concept of unwanted participation in transnational fields, showing how domestic violence survivors navigate and resist transnational social control. By highlighting the role of gendered power structures, both in the home and host countries, this research contributes to the understanding of how pre-migration experiences and gender dynamics influence refugees’ transnational involvement, addressing calls for a deeper exploration of transnationalism’s causes and impacts.