Political presence of a young refugee girl: A study through the metaphor of a ‘Cage’

This research explores the tension between lived and legal citizenship through the metaphor of a ‘Cage,’ focusing on young refugees whose sense of belonging diverges from formal citizenship. Using the case of Salma, a Syrian refugee in Turkey, the study examines how she navigates challenges such as racism, financial hardship, and discrimination with agency and resilience. Drawing on a geosocial methodology, feminist geography, and intersectionality, the research employs in-depth interviews and participatory techniques to uncover Salma’s everyday experiences. It highlights her creative self-empowerment and political presence, demonstrating how she actively reshapes traditional notions of citizenship. This study contributes to understanding youth political agency in refugee contexts, emphasizing the transformative potential of creative agency and metaphorical analysis in redefining citizenship. Ultimately, it challenges conventional frameworks of belonging and offers insights into the role of youth in reshaping societal and political structures.