War, women and forced displacement

Abstract

This article aims to provide an understanding of the lived experiences of a selected sample Ukrainian women who were forcibly displaced due to the 2022 war in Ukraine, and were able to come to Canada. Using personal narratives in gender and forced migration studies, this article explores how forcibly displaced Ukrainian women in Canada understand and articulate their own situations, circumstances, and contexts. The article narrates their stories of forced migration, including their life before and after the war, their lived experiences in Canada, and how they envision their future. The article highlights how the experiences of these selected women are distinct from men, and illustrates their agency and resilience in the contexts of war and forced displacement. The women also provide innovative policy recommendations to address their needs based on their experiences, and broadly the needs of forcibly displaced communities in Canada.