Experiences Of Migrant Women Research Articles

Ukrainian women's maternity care strategies in Poland after the outbreak of the full-scale war: Understanding unequal access to quality care

The outbreak of the full-scale war launched by Russia against Ukraine and, following it, significant migrations have not only increased the diversity of the Ukrainian migrant population in Poland, but also added to the complexity of their health needs and strategies. This study seeks to explore Ukrainian migrant women's experiences and practices related to the use of maternity care services. The article is based on fieldwork conducted between February and October 2023 and included 23 semi-structured interviews with Ukrainian migrant women who gave birth in Poland after February 24, 2022. To understand Ukrainian women's pathways to maternity care in Poland and unpack the differences in experiences within this group of migrants, we explore participants' healthcare strategies against the background of existing inequalities in access to quality care in Poland and Ukraine, in particularly the division between private and public services. We consider the role of financial, social and cultural resources and distinguish for this purpose between three groups of permanent, circular and wartime migrants. We show the decisive role of economic resources, nonetheless in articulation with the creation and mobilisation of social networks and time spent in Poland, which play a role in shaping migrant women's capacity to access better maternity care.

Understanding resilience among migrant women in a humanitarian reception center: a qualitative study.

The European Union receives thousands of irregular migrants and refugees annually. Irregular migrant women are admitted to Humanitarian Reception Centers. These migrants face multiple adversities on their migration journey, and resilience is key to coping with process. The aim of this study was to describe and understand irregular migrant women's experience of resilience when living in humanitarian reception centers. Descriptive qualitative study. In-depth interviews and a focus group were carried out with 21 migrant women from different African countries, with an average age of 31.8 years. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the qualitative data using ATLAS.ti computer software. Three main themes emerged: (1) Irregular migrant women in transit: extreme vulnerability. (2) Migration support networks. (3) Promoting irregular migrant women's resilience. The harshness of the migration process tests the resilience of irregular migrant women, who are a vulnerable group at high risk of social exclusion. Their time in humanitarian reception centers is significant in their process of developing resilient behaviors. The multidisciplinary resources of the humanitarian reception center help the irregular migrant women in their personal development.

Access to and provision of sexual and reproductive health services in Ekurhuleni, South Africa: Experiences and coping strategies of migrant women and healthcare workers.

The importance of universal access to health services including sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) services by migrant populations and the fundamental role of healthcare workers in providing SRHR services, requires a balanced understanding of the experiences of both migrants and healthcare workers. This study explored the experiences of migrant women in accessing and utilising SRHR services and the experiences of healthcare workers in providing SRHR and HIV services in Ekurhuleni, South Africa. In-depth interviews were conducted with five internal migrants, eight international migrant women aged 18-49 years, and four healthcare workers. Migrant women were selected using snowball sampling while healthcare workers were purposively sampled. Migrant women face multifaceted challenges including but not limited to language barriers, discrimination based on migration status, cultural and religious hurdles when accessing and utilising SRHR and HIV services. Similarly, healthcare workers encounter challenges in providing SRHR and HIV services to migrant women which include language barriers and having migrants who seek services without referral documentation and legal migration documents. Training healthcare workers on cultural sensitivity and integration of migrant friendly services in the health policy may improve migrant women's experiences in accessing and utilising as well as healthcare workers' experiences in providing SRHR services.

Motherhood, Human Trafficking, and Asylum Seeking: The Experiences and Needs of Survivor Mothers in Birthing and Postnatal Care

This article aims to illuminate the little-studied phenomenon of asylum-seeking child-bearing women in the UK, survivors of violence and human trafficking. This is a significant issue in terms of the proportion of women affected and the paucity of care and support currently available to them as mother survivors. This study looked to examine the frontline support services of one project to survivor mothers through two collaborating organisations, Happy Baby Community and Hestia, and how their services support mothers’ experiences of perinatal mental health, infant feeding, and the general experiences of migrant women and trafficking survivors in maternity care in the UK. Using evidence collected from semi-structured service-users’ interviews and focus groups, and an anonymous online staff survey, this article shows the types of care and support that are required to address not only the challenges faced by any new mother, but also the additional challenges experienced with trafficking and seeking asylum such as mental health, housing, and legal and access to other support. This article illustrates the many complex and inter-related challenges these women face, and the way the project meets practical, informational, emotional, appraisal, and social needs. It concludes by identifying several implications of the support provided and/or needed, which could be considered by other services or policymakers looking to meet the fundamental needs and rights of this cohort.

Negotiating access and belonging: Recounting the lived experiences and challenges of migrant women returnees in Nigeria

The study explores the lived experiences of women migrant returnees in Nigeria. It aims to highlight the motivation and push factors for migration, understand the challenges and lived experiences of migrant women, and appraise their integration and sense of belonging. Through referrals and purposive sampling, a total of 20 migrant women were recruited and interviewed. The inclusion criteria include those who have lived and worked in the diaspora for a minimum of 5 years and 2 years as a returnee in Nigeria, respectively. The exclusion criteria involve women who migrated with families and those considered professionals. Themes were identified with the NVivo (v.12) qualitative software and the Content Qualitative Analytical tool employed to interpret these themes. The need for migration for many women includes access to improved economic life, infrastructure, and amenities, means of sustaining families in the home country, and improved social and political security. The lived experience of women migrants in the diaspora includes sexual harassment, rape, forced and inhumane labour practices, low wages, isolation and depression, and xenophobia. For many returnees, the challenge includes unemployment, integration, family support, inflation, and financial insolvency. The quest for integration and belonging is limited for many returnees. The paper argues for more robust migration policies and a well-established policy of integration for migrant returnees. The study recommends a more monitoring effort of the activities of the Nigerian border. This recommendation becomes crucial with the porous borders in Nigeria through which people, including women, migrate to other countries illegally and undocumented.

Experiences of geophagy during pregnancy among African migrant women in London: Implications for public health interventions

This study explored African migrant women's clay ingestion experiences during pregnancy against a backdrop of health risks warnings in order, to inform public health interventions by the UK Food Standards Agency and Public Health England, now known as the UK Health Security Agency. An interpretative phenomenological approach (IPA) was utilized, and data were collected with a total of 30 participants through individual in-depth interviews and one focus group discussion. Findings showed clay ingestion is a fluid and widely accepted cultural practice among African communities with most participants having been socialized into ingestion during childhood, through family influences and current social networks in their adulthood. Vomiting, nausea, spitting, appetite challenges, and cravings were cited as the main reasons for clay ingestion during pregnancy. With strong claims regarding its effectiveness, clay was ingested every day by most participants, and at times in large quantities despite the potential health risks. This calls for innovative and culturally sensitive public health interventions starting with the inclusion of clay ingestion health risk messages in maternal health nutrition information within antenatal settings. This can be done as part of multilevel interventions informed by life course approaches, which also consider community health messages and an enabling regulatory policy framework focusing on clay sold for human ingestion.

HPV and Cervical Cancer Awareness and Screening Practices among Migrant Women: A Narrative Review.

This narrative review explores the barriers and facilitators that migrant women face globally. The review explored a range of studies conducted in various countries, including the United States of America (USA), the United Kingdom (UK), Canada, Australia, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). It also specialises in the experiences of migrant women living in Sydney, Australia, and women living in Ras Al Khaimah (RAK), UAE. Cervical cancer ranks as the fourth most prevalent form of cancer among women worldwide. It is the fourteenth most common cancer among women in Australia and the fourth most common cancer in the UAE. Despite the availability of vaccinations and cervical screening initiatives in many countries, including the USA, the UK, Canada, Australia, and the UAE, migrant women living in these countries continue to experience considerable health gaps when accessing cervical cancer screening services. Addressing these disparities is crucial to ensuring everyone has equal healthcare access. An electronic search was conducted using three databases to identify articles published between 2011 and 2021. Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-methods research studies were included in the search. The identified factors were classified into categories of barriers and facilitators of cervical screening uptake, which were then sub-categorized. This narrative review examines the awareness of cervical cancer and screening behaviours, attitudes, barriers, and facilitators associated with cervical cancer screening. According to the study, several factors pose significant obstacles for migrant women worldwide, particularly those living in the USA, the UK, Canada, and Sydney, Australia, and Emirati and non-Emirati women (migrant women) residing in RAK when it comes to undergoing cervical cancer screening. These barriers include inadequate knowledge and emotional, cultural, religious, psychological, and organisational factors. On the other hand, social support, awareness campaigns, and the availability of screening services were found to promote the uptake of cervical cancer screening. The findings from this review suggest that healthcare providers should adopt culturally sensitive approaches to enhance awareness and encourage participation in screening programs among migrant women. Based on the findings of this narrative review, it is strongly suggested that healthcare providers and policymakers prioritise developing culturally sensitive screening initiatives for migrant women. It is essential to address the psychological and emotional barriers that prevent migrant women from accessing screening services. This can be accomplished by offering education and awareness campaigns in their native languages and implementing a community-based approach to encourage social support and increase awareness of cervical cancer and screening services. Furthermore, healthcare providers and organisations should provide educational tools that address common misconceptions based on cultural and religious factors that prevent women from accessing screening services.

Pregnant racialised migrants and the ubiquitous border: The hostile environment as a technology of stratified reproduction.

This article explores the impact of the 'hostile environment' on racialised migrant women's experiences of pregnancy and childbirth in England, arguing that the 'hostile environment' functions as a technology of 'stratified reproduction.' First coined by Shellee Colen, the concept of stratified reproduction describes the dynamic by which some individuals and groups may be supported in their reproductive activities, while others are disempowered and discouraged. This paper locates the stratified reproduction produced by the 'hostile environment' as intertwined with wider gendered and racialised discourses around British citizenship which have been 'designed to fail' racialised residents of the UK. Drawing on interviews with racialised migrant mothers in the north of England, this paper analyses how the proliferation and intensification of immigration controls interacts with gender, race, class, and other social regimes to differentially allocate the resources necessary for a safe and healthy pregnancy and childbirth, and how this is experienced materially by pregnant migrants.

Exploring the Intersection of Legal Regulations and Feminization of Migration: A Focus on Migrant Women Working in Domestic Services in Türkiye

One of the trends that have come to the fore with globalization is the increased visibility of women in migration. As the rate of women’s participation in the labor force through paid work has increased, their mobility from rural to urban areas or from one part of the world to another has also increased. In this process, also known as the feminization of migration, women have become geographically more mobile than ever before in history. With this process, women started to migrate independently from their family members across national borders to work in a variety of jobs, particularly domestic work and sex work. The diversion of domestic work (caring for the sick, children and elderly, cleaning, etc.) to women in poorer countries through the global division of labor has played an important role in this change. This division of labor, which arises from the combination of the gendered character of domestic work and cheap female labor, has necessitated the geographical mobility of poorer women from all over the world. As a result, women have also begun to engage in geographical mobility on a global scale. In addition to these reasons that push women to migrate, developments in destination countries that create demand for migrant women’s labor are also important. Today, almost every part of the world has become a destination point for women migrating for domestic work. Especially after the collapse of the Soviet Union, Türkiye has also become one of these target countries. However, migrant women have faced various problems in Türkiye, both due to deficiencies in existing regulations and political attitudes towards migrants. These women, most of whom work as domestic workers, have been at the center of problems arising from both the migration system and the specific conditions of domestic work. In this study, the problems faced by female migrant domestic workers in Türkiye are discussed within the aforementioned framework. In particular, the main axis of the discussion is how domestic workers are affected by legal regulations in Türkiye. The study interrogates how women’s migration to Türkiye has developed within the existing migration system and examines the migration experience of migrant women working as domestic workers in Türkiye.

Gendered precarity of migrant women in the satellite city of Isparta, Türkiye

This paper focuses on the experiences of asylum-seeking and forced migrant women in one of the satellite cities in Türkiye and discusses how gender affects women’s precarious living and working conditions. Based on semi-structured in-depth interviews with 20 migrant women from Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan and Syria in 2019, our findings suggest that asylum-seeking women have limited access to economic and social resources available in the satellite city of Isparta due to gender inequalities. The findings of the study indicate that factors, such as (1) gendered and informal employment structure, (2) traditional gender roles, (3) crowded and patriarchal family structure, (4) loosened kinship and solidarity, (5) language incompetence, (6) restrictive migration management and (7) satellite city policies, all have a role in determining the experiences of these migrant women. These factors often prevent migrant women from accessing some basic services, social networks and employment opportunities, and push them to live precarious, impoverished and excluded lives.

The Feminisation of Migration and the Practice of Religion

The phenomenon of feminisation of migration, characterized by the increasing participation of women in international migration flows, has gained attention recently. This paper explored the interplay between feminisation of migration and religion, shedding light on the experiences of migrant women. It investigated how religion serves as a cultural anchor, resilience-building mechanism, and identity negotiator for female migrants. The paper thus outlined the global trend of rising female migration, discusses gender dynamics in migration, and highlights the challenges faced by migrant women in balancing faith practices and integration. It further examined the intersectionality of gender and religious identity, emphasizing the need for a nuanced analysis. The article explored how religious beliefs and practices contribute to the resilience and adaptation of migrant women, and how religion shapes their sense of self. It also explored the role of religious communities in providing support and facilitating community building among migrant women. The study showed that female migration empowers women, increases their control over mobility and rights, and their remittances can contribute significantly to economies. It revealed the multidimensional nature of feminisation of migration and the need for policy recommendations to improve the living and working conditions of migrant women. The paper increases understanding of the challenges faced by women during migration and highlights the importance of protecting and promoting women’s rights. It also notes the impact of women’s absence from home on gender roles and social dynamics. Keywords: Feminisation, Migration, Practice of Religion, Religious Identities, Gendered Migration Pattern.

Bureaucratic Violence in the Residency Application Process: Findings from a Mixed Methods Cross-Sectional Survey of Migrant Women in Spain

Bureaucratic violence linked to immigration systems and residency applications, such as confusing and cumbersome administrative processes, discriminatory practices and a lack of accountability, act as significant post-migration stressors in destination countries that can impact migrant wellbeing. The behavior of public officials within these systems, referred to as ‘street-level bureaucrats’, can amplify stress through the use of discretion in interpreting legal requirements. The experiences of migrant women in attempting to obtain resident status in Spain have not been well documented. This article makes a novel contribution to the literature by aiming to understand the barriers faced by migrant women when applying for residency in Spain, and how experiences differ by socio-demographic subgroups. The study analysed mixed-methods data collected via an online survey of migrant women living in Valencia, Spain. A lack of information, communication barriers and difficulty meeting the stringent requirements of visa applications emerged as some of the main barriers to residency, with women from Africa, Asia or the Middle East being most likely to encounter barriers. Policy makers should seek to enhance transparency, standardize processes and improve communication for migrants interacting with the immigration system in order to reduce barriers and create more accessible pathways to residency in Spain.

"I Came Here, and it Got Worse Day by Day": Examining the Intersections Between Migrant Precarity and Family Violence Among Women with Insecure Migration Status in Australia.

While understanding the diversity of women's lived experiences is a key focus area in the international feminist literature on family violence, research with migrant women in Australia remains limited. This article seeks to contribute to the growing body of intersectional feminist scholarship that examines how immigration or "migration status" impacts the dynamics of migrant women's experiences of family violence. The article examines precarity in relation to migrant women's lives in Australia and focuses on the ways that their specific circumstances contribute to and are compounded by the experience of family violence. It also considers how precarity functions as a structural condition that has implications in terms of various forms or patterns of inequality that can heighten women's vulnerability to violence and undermine their efforts to ensure their safety and survival.

Navigating Gendered Pathways: Uncovering Gendered Barriers for Women Migrants in Europe

This ethnographic study delves into the challenges women who migrate from developing countries to Europe face. By adopting a feminist and postcolonial lens, it aims to explore the intersection of gender and migration, shedding light on the experiences of migrant women that have received limited attention within existing migration law literature. The study examines how gender influences various forms of prejudice, marginalization, and constrained economic potential for these women. Additionally, it presents recommendations to improve the conditions for migrant women in Europe, including enhancing access to resources and support services, expanding educational and employment opportunities, and advocating for the recognition of their rights as equal citizens. By addressing these issues, this research strives to contribute to a more inclusive and equitable society for migrant women in Europe.

Sexual and reproductive health of migrant women and girls from the Northern Triangle of Central America.

To understand the sexual and reproductive health (SRH) experiences of migrant women and girls of reproductive age (15-49 years) from the Northern Triangle of Central America (El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras) during their journey to the United States. A descriptive, qualitative research design included 39 in-depth interviews with migrant women and unaccompanied migrant girls from El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras from January to June 2022. Participants were recruited using purposive sampling. Interviews were transcribed, coded and analyzed using thematic analysis. Migrant women and girls lack information and resources to manage their SRH during migration. The SRH of those traveling with smugglers is compromised due to their limited access to menstrual pads, water and sanitation services; the risks of transactional sex and sexual violence; the high risk of sexually transmitted infections; the inability to report sexual violence; the lack of access to SRH and prenatal services; and limited knowledge about their sexual and reproductive rights. There is a significant need for improved interventions during the predeparture phase of migration to inform migrant women and girls about the SRH risks they may encounter and to provide information and resources to support their SRH throughout their journey. Special attention should be directed towards trying to reach girls and women who will travel with smugglers.

Gender violence and the construction of new gender identities: Roma migrant women's lived experiences in Romania and Spain

Recent research indicates that there are critical physical, psychological, verbal and economic issues that shape the types of violence to which women are subject. This study analyses how Roma migrant women fall victim to domestic abuse, both in their home country (Romania) and abroad (Spain). Drawing on literature regarding violence against women, a survey (N=132) was conducted with Romanian Roma migrant women in Spain to understand the ways in which they reconstructed their gender identities in the face of violence. Further semi-structured interviews were undertaken with five Roma migrant women to determine the ways in which these women perceived the forms of violence to which they fell victim, what caused their partners to become perpetrators, and what roles their own families played in this scenario. The findings of our study reveal the inherent insecurities that violence has inflicted on our participants, unmask the destructive effects on the family unit, and explain how some of the interviewees were able to transcend their experience and initiate a process of resetting their gender identities. If the predominance of the traditional patriarchal structure of Roma society can be observed during the life experiences of the Roma women in Romania, the gender characteristics are changing among those Roma women who have migrated to Spain: there is a greater emphasis on a fairer distribution of domestic tasks, decision-making in the family, and their ability to adapt to new possibilities for professional development. The study concludes that although violence against Roma women is still a real issue in Spain, women are re-defining their gender identities to resist traditional patriarchal structures.

A Qualitative Systematic Review of Experiences and Barriers Faced by Migrant Women with Perinatal Depression in Canada

Perinatal depression is the onset of depressive symptoms during pregnancy and up to one year after childbirth. Migrant women are at higher risk of experiencing perinatal depression due to numerous psychosocial stressors related to their experiences. This qualitative review aims to aggregate the experiences and barriers to care faced by immigrant and refugee women in Canada who have perinatal depression. Qualitative research can elucidate the barriers to treatment and culturally-impacted experiences of Canadian migrant women with perinatal depression. Following PRISMA and Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) guidelines for conducting qualitative systematic reviews, 13 eligible studies representing 10 samples (N = 262 participants) were identified and included in this review. Participants included service providers, immigrant women, and refugee women. Three synthesized themes were identified by this review using the JBI meta-aggregative approach: (1) culture-related challenges; (2) migration-related challenges; and (3) service accessibility and quality. Within these themes were experiences of migrant women that encompass six categories: (1) conceptualization of perinatal depression; (2) childbirth-specific challenges; (3) migration-related challenges; (4) social isolation; (5) accessibility of services; and (6) quality of care. The role of family, cultural differences, financial challenges, and the effects of these on service accessibility are impactful in the experiences of migrant women. A greater understanding of the role of both culture and migration in the delivery of care, especially regarding service provider attitudes in more representative samples, is recommended.

Renegotiating Roles as Fathers and Workers: Exploring the Experiences of Migrant and Refugee Men in Australia

Migrants represent a significant and growing proportion of Australia’s population. While there has been a surge of academic literature about the experiences of migrant women, and families more generally, less attention has been given to migrant men and their roles as fathers. As fathers have a significant impact upon their children and families’ wellbeing, it is important to understand the factors influencing their wellbeing and caregiving practices within their family units. To better understand the factors contributing to migrant men’s fathering experiences and wellbeing, the authors undertook semi-structured, in-depth interviews and one focus group discussion with 10 migrant and refugee fathers living in Darwin, Australia. We define migrant fathers as those who were born outside of Australia and had children. This exploratory study aims to explore the challenges the fathers faced securing stable employment, providing caregiving, and renegotiating their identities as fathers and workers in a new country and culture. The findings demonstrate that demographic characteristics (such as education and language), structural constraints (such as access to childcare and flexible work), and cultural expectations (such as being the breadwinner and provider) defined the way many of the fathers experienced and rationalised their role as workers and fathers. These findings confirm the importance of employment in promoting and sustaining migrant and refugee men’s wellbeing as they resettle with their families. We offer a preliminary sketch for policy makers and service providers to support migrant and refugee men’s roles and identities as fathers and workers in Australia.

“Whether you like my skin or not, I am here”: skilled racial minority migrant women's experiences of navigating career challenges in the White Icelandic labor market

PurposeThis study aims to explore the lived experiences of skilled racial minority migrant (SRMM) women who hold management positions in the White Icelandic labor market and to understand how gender, race, ethnicity and migrant status intersect to shape experiences of privilege and disadvantage.Design/methodology/approachIn this paper phenomenological methodology was applied to analyze in-depth interviews with twelve SRMM women. Iceland provides rich context of high gender and social equality, but limited recognition of ethnic and racial differences.FindingsSRMM women's self-efficacy and agency allowed them to source strength from their background and experiences of challenges. Through reframing they adopted a mindset of resilience and determination, proactively redefined the context, turned negatively stereotyped identities into positive assets and engaged strategically with barriers based on gender, language or migrant status. In contrast, the subtle and covert nature of racial prejudice in the context of the invisible norm of Whiteness felt impossible to address.Originality/valueThe study provides insight into the experiences of SRMM women who have attained upper- and middle-management positions. The findings illuminate the overt and covert barriers that the women experience on their career journey in the context of a White labor market that emphasizes egalitarianism and gender equality but does not engage with ethnic or racial prejudice. They highlight the role of self-efficacy and agency in deploying strategies to negotiate intersecting barriers and how that agency is disadvantaged by the invisible norm of Whiteness.

Women's health in migrant populations: a qualitative study in France.

In 2019, there are 6.5 million migrants living in France. Numerous quantitative studies show inequalities in access and quality of care, in particular in women's health. This study aimed to explore migrant women's experience of gynaecological care. We conducted 17 semi-structured in-depth interviews with migrant women in Toulouse (France). We used a Grounded Theory approach to perform the analysis. Although migrant women were generally satisfied with the gynaecological care received, they also reported dysfunctions. Positive elements were the French health insurance system, the human qualities of the healthcare providers and the performance of the health system. Although reassuring, the structured framework was perceived to have little flexibility. This was sometimes felt as oppressive, paternalistic or discriminatory. These obstacles, amplified by the women's lifestyle instability and precariousness, the language barrier and the difficulty to understand a totally new healthcare system, made women's health care and, especially, preventive care, a difficult-to-achieve and low-priority objective for the women. Migrant women's overall satisfaction with the healthcare system contrasted with the known health inequalities in these populations. This is a good example of the concept of acculturation. Healthcare professionals need to make an introspective effort to prevent the emergence of stereotypes and of discriminatory and paternalistic behaviours. A better understanding and respect of the other person's culture is an indispensable condition for intercultural medicine, and thus for reducing the health inequalities that migrant women experience.