Bordering without men: an ethnography of daily life of Hawraman women

This ethnographic study explores the lived experiences of women in the Hawraman borderlands, a region straddling the border between Iran and Iraq. Focusing on the intersectionality of gender, migration, and border dynamics, the research highlights the unique challenges and opportunities faced by Hawrami women, whose daily lives are deeply impacted by the absence of male family members who migrate as border laborers. By examining how these women define their identities, femininity, and resilience, the study calls for a broader understanding of border studies that includes the often-neglected perspectives of women. The findings suggest that social change in border regions cannot be achieved without addressing the systemic barriers that hinder both men and women’s empowerment. This work aims to contribute to the discourse on gender and migration in conflict zones and calls for more attention to the intersectional realities of borderland women’s struggles.