Women In Australia Research Articles

Understandings and Perceptions of Domestic Violence Among Newly Arrived Afghan Women in Australia.

Women's perceptions of domestic violence vary across societies and cultures and might change by moving to a new society. This study aims to explore newly arrived Afghan women's understandings and perceptions of domestic violence and whether they perceive this as acceptable. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 21 newly arrived Afghan women in Australia. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and analyzed inductively to generate and organize themes. The findings showed that informants had a sound knowledge and understanding of domestic violence, and many of them identified various forms of violence. Also, informants strongly rejected that violence against women be considered normal or acceptable.

Translanguaging, Emotionality, and English as a Second Language Immigrants: Mongolian Background Women in Australia

Drawing on the translanguaging practices of Mongolian background English as a Second Language (ESL) immigrant women in Australia, this paper points out two main theoretical points: (1) when translanguaging moves beyond the classroom, it may provide ESL immigrants with an emotionally and linguistically safe space where they feel comfortable in managing their negative emotions through employing multiple entangled layers of linguistic and paralinguistic resources; (2) translanguaging data further presents that these ESL immigrants are deeply emotional and are prone to depression, putting their mental well‐being in jeopardy. As a result of their depression, their academic concentration is inhibited, as is their ability to learn English well or easily. We, as TESOL educators, therefore, need to consider two critical educational implications: (1) how ESL immigrant students use different linguistic repertoires outside the classroom, what they talk about, and which emotions they prefer to express in which forms of their linguistic repertoire; and their multiple emotions, traumas and psychological issues embedded within their multiple ways of learning, being, and speaking; (2) consolidate appropriate interventions aimed at reducing depressive symptoms that have the potential to negatively impact academic performance existing in L2 sociocultural contexts.

Experiences of Domestic Violence among Newly Arrived Afghan Women in Australia, a Qualitative Study

AbstractThe voice of Afghan women has been little heard, particularly in Australia and other western societies, despite the considerable number living in those societies. The main aim of this study was to understand Afghan women’s experiences of domestic violence and their perceptions about the extent of domestic violence among the Afghan community in Australia. The study involved semi-structured interviews with twenty-one Afghan women who had been living in Australia between six months and ten years. The interviews were conducted in either Farsi (Persian) or English according to participant’s preferences. Interviews were audio recorded and transcribed verbatim. An inductive analysis of the data was used to explore details and build main themes. Some women spoke about their experiences of domestic violence, mainly psychological and emotional violence. Although women insisted that domestic violence was prevalent and widespread in both contexts, many remarked that Afghan women were less vulnerable to physical violence in Australia than in Afghanistan. This article concludes with a number of implications for social work practice based on the study findings.

Women's Barriers to Weight Loss, Perception of Future Diabetes Risk and Opinions of Diet Strategies Following Gestational Diabetes: An Online Survey.

Weight loss after gestational diabetes (GDM) reduces the risk of type 2 diabetes (T2DM); however, weight loss remains challenging in this population. In order to explore perceptions of T2DM risk, barriers to weight loss, and views of diet strategies in women with previous GDM, a cross-sectional online survey of n = 429 women in Australia aged ≥18 years with previous GDM was conducted. Opinions of intermittent energy restriction (IER) were of interest. Seventy-five percent of responders (n = 322) had overweight or obesity, and 34% (n = 144) believed they had a high risk of developing T2DM. Within the Theoretical Domains Framework, barriers to weight loss were prominently related to Environmental Context and Resources, Beliefs about Capabilities, and Behavioural Regulation. Exercising was the most tried method of weight loss over other diet strategies (71%, n = 234) and weight loss support by a dietician was appealing as individual appointments (65%, n = 242) or an online program (54%, n = 200). Most women (73%, n = 284) had heard of IER (the “5:2 diet”), but only 12% (n = 34) had tried it. Open comments (n = 100) revealed mixed views of IER. Women in Australia with previous GDM were found to lack a self-perceived high risk of developing T2DM and expressed barriers to weight loss related to their family environment, beliefs about their capabilities and behavioural regulation. IER is appealing for some women with previous GDM; however, views vary.

Menstrual Health Literacy and Management Strategies in Young Women in Australia: A National Online Survey of Young Women Aged 13-25Years.

To explore key aspects of menstrual health literacy and menstrual management in young women at school or in tertiary education. Cross-sectional online survey. Australia-wide. A total of 4202 adolescent and young women (13-25years of age; median age 17years), having reached menarche, living in Australia and currently attending school (n=2421) or tertiary education (n=1781). Online survey hosted by Qualtrics between November 2017 and January 2018. Data were collected on contraceptive use, management strategies, sources of information, and knowledge of menstruation. Information on prevalence and effectiveness of different management strategies, health-seeking behavior, knowledge about menstruation, and common menstrual disorders such as endometriosis. The majority of young women did not seek medical advice for their menstrual symptoms, but used information from the Internet (50%) and engaged in self-management, most commonly with over-the-counter medications such as paracetamol (51%) or ibuprofen (52%). Oral contraceptive use was relatively common (35%), and mostly for reduction of menstrual pain (58%). Despite having significant dysmenorrhea, approximately one-half of the participants (51%) thought that their period was normal. Women with higher pain scores were more likely to rate their period as "abnormal" (P<.0001) but not more likely to consult a doctor (P=.13). Only 53% of those at school had heard of endometriosis. Self-management of menstrual symptoms is common, but a significant minority of women are underdosing or choosing ineffective methods. Most women do not seek medical advice even when symptoms are severe, and cannot identify symptoms suggestive of secondary dysmenorrhea. Improved education on menstruation is vital.

Highly Skilled South Asian Migrant Women in Australia: Hidden Economic Assets

Finding a balance between work and family life is challenging for many women, particularly migrant women living in Australia without family support. This study provides insights into their dilemmas, difficulties and strengths in terms of household responsibilities and employment pressures. Design: Qualitative, in-depth interviews were conducted with ten South Asian skilled mothers living in Canberra, Australia. Findings: Participants were positive about contributing to their family&amp;rsquo;s income and gaining financial independence. However, as skilled migrant women, they struggled to use their work skills due to increased demands of domestic responsibilities. They often negotiated work and family life by seeking low-prospect careers. Conclusion: The socio-cultural factors faced by South Asian migrant women have a significant impact on their work-life balance. Deskilling, increased work pressures and lack of support may negatively impact their career aspirations and well-being. Flexible policies can help mitigate these barriers to help migrant women maintain a work-life balance.

Human Capital and Labour Market Performance of Muslim Women in Australia

This article examines the labour-market performance of Muslim women in Australia. It examines whether Muslim women face a penalty due to their religion. This study analyses data obtained from the 2011 Australian Census, and found that Muslim women were less likely to participate in the labour market and less likely to obtain managerial jobs. However, the results of this study show that Muslim women are as likely to be employed as are the majority group. Human capital factors explained the difference between the groups in the case of employment, thus refuting religious discrimination as an explanation for this difference. However, the study also suggests that the lack of differences in employment should be examined further as it might be masking other forms of disadvantages, e.g. overqualification. The results also show that qualifications have a positive impact on all labour market outcomes and by and large operate similarly among all groups.

Older Women in Australia: Facing the Challenges of Dual Sensory Loss.

With the increase in longevity, the number of women living into old age is rising and higher than that of men. Data was derived from the Melbourne Longitudinal Studies on Healthy Ageing Program, which included 533 women and 467 men aged 65 years and older, in Australia, over 10 years. Logistic regression modeling was used to investigate the prevalence of dual sensory loss and the unmet needs for vision and hearing devices in older women (compared to men) over time, as well as its impacts on self-reported general health, depression, perceived social activities, community service use and ageing in place. Results suggested that the prevalence of dual sensory loss increased for women from the age of 75 years and over. Dual sensory loss was higher for older women and men who were living alone, with government benefits as their main income source or were divorced, separated or widowed. Dual sensory loss had significant impacts on poor general health, perceived inadequate social activities and community service use for women and men and on depression for women only. Early identification of dual sensory loss is essential to minimize its effects, ensuring continued well-being for this population.

Two Distinct Gonorrhea Trends and Risk Factors Among Women in Australia.

In recent years, gonorrhea notifications have increased in women in Australia and other countries. We measured trends over time and risk factors among Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ("Aboriginal") and non-Aboriginal women. We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of data from 41 sexual health clinics. Gonorrhea positivity at each patient's first visit (first-test positivity) during the period 2009 to 2016 was calculated. Univariate and multivariate analyses assessed risk factors for first-test positivity in Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal women. Gonorrhea positivity decreased among Aboriginal women (7.1% in 2009 to 5.2% in 2016, P < 0.001) and increased among non-Aboriginal women (0.6%-2.9%, P < 0.001). Among Aboriginal women, first-test positivity was independently associated with living in a regional or remote area (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 4.29; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.52-7.31; P < 0.01) and chlamydia infection (aOR, 4.20; 95% CI,3.22-5.47; P < 0.01). Among non-Aboriginal women, first-test positivity was independently associated with greater socioeconomic disadvantage (second quartile: aOR, 1.68 [95% CI, 1.31-2.16; P < 0.01]; third quartile: aOR, 1.54 [95% CI, 1.25-1.89; P < 0.01]) compared with least disadvantaged quartile: recent sex work (aOR, 1.69; 95% CI, 1.37-2.08; P < 0.01), recent injecting drug use (aOR, 1.85; 95% CI, 1.34-2.57; P < 0.01), and chlamydia infection (aOR, 2.35; 95% CI, 1.90-2.91; P < 0.01). For non-Aboriginal women, being aged 16 to 19 years (aOR, 0.62; 95% CI, 0.49-0.80; P < 0.01) compared with those ≥30 years was a protective factor. These findings highlight 2 different epidemics and risk factors for Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal women, which can inform appropriate health promotion and clinical strategies.

Disordered Eating Behaviours and Eating Disorders in Women in Australia with and without Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Psychological co-morbidities common in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) may contribute to disordered eating and subsequent weight gain. This cross-sectional study aimed to determine the prevalence of disordered eating and a range of eating disorders and demographic risk factors associated with these behaviours within an Australian group of women with and without PCOS. Data from 899 women with (n = 501) and without (n = 398) PCOS were analysed as possibly indicative of disordered eating or eating disorders using the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire (EDE-Q) and The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition (DSM-5) criteria. Disordered eating (p = 0.012) but not eating disorders (p = 0.076) were more prevalent in women with PCOS compared to controls. Increased body mass index (BMI) [Odds Ratio (OR): 1.03; 95%; Confidence Interval (CI): 1.01, 1.05, p = 0.012] and older age [OR: 1.05; 95%CI: 1.02, 1.08, p = 0.002] but not PCOS diagnosis [OR: 1.43; 95%CI: 0.96, 2.13 p = 0.078] increased the odds of disordered eating. Increased BMI [OR: 1.04; 95%CI: 1.02, 1.06, p < 0.001] and younger age [OR: -0.95; 95%CI: 0.93–0.95, p < 0.001] but not PCOS diagnosis [OR: 1.38; 95%CI: 0.97, 1.95, p = 0.076] increased the odds of an eating disorder. Clinicians are recommended to screen all women with PCOS for possible disordered eating behaviours, with particular attention to women with elevated BMI.

Stories and Words, Advocacy and Social Justice: Finding Voice for Aboriginal Women in Australia

. A framework of self-determination means not speaking on behalf of people – even as an advocate – but to create the environment and conditions for those who have been silenced to speak for themselves. This article reflects on the role of storytelling for justice for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and their families. I closely consider three stories of child removal, as told by their impacted families, and in their localised context. This article counterposes the stories that are told about them through care and protection law and related policy, and draws out the long precedent of these stories. Through the stories of impacted families, told in their own voices, it becomes clearer that the removal of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children from their families is a key pillar of a concerted and complex colonial project. This has implications for how people working in law come to see the power of storytelling within and outside legal institutions, and how they can do those stories justice by making space for them to be heard on their own terms.

Changing Patterns of Religious Practice and Belief among Church-attending Catholic Women in Australia

In Australia, women currently outnumber men in both Catholic congregations and the Catholic workforce. However, for complex reasons, the Mass attendance rates of women are declining. In opposition to this general shift away from church participation, a small yet significant group of Catholic women are still engaging in parish life. Using quantitative analysis to examine data collected in the 2006, 2011 and 2016 National Church Life Survey (NCLS), this article will explore the private and public practices, orthodoxy, and religious salience of Catholic church-attending women in Australia. It will consider reasons for an overall reduction in these measures of religiosity in successive generations and investigate apparent anomalies that find younger Catholic church-attending women possessing measures of religious practice that contest the notion of a uniform generational decline in Catholic women's religiosity.

Breast Cancer Perceptions and Screening Behaviours Among Korean Women in Australia.

Little is known about breast cancer screening behaviours among immigrant-Korean women in Australia. This study reported breast cancer screening status and whether demographic factors and cultural beliefs associated with their screening behaviours. A convenience sample of 258 Korean-Australian women completed the Korean version of the Breast Cancer Screening Beliefs Questionnaire. Only 16.9% paid special attention to their breasts monthly whereas 31.4% and 54.5% attended annual clinical breast examination and biannual mammograms respectively. Employment status and the length of stay in Australia are significant factors that affect women's breast cancer screening behaviour. Women who engaged in regular breast awareness and clinical breast examination had significantly higher scores on Knowledge of breast cancer subscale, whereas, those who attended mammography has significantly higher scores on Attitudes toward health check-ups. The research highlights that certain cultural and attitudinal issues are detrimental factors for breast cancer screening behaviour among Korean-Australian women.

Gender and mathematics: Pathways to mathematically intensive fields of study in Australia

Abstract Women in Australia have gone from being under-represented to being over-represented in university education, but they are still far less likely than men to engage in mathematically intensive science fields including engineering, information technology and the physical sciences. I aim to contribute to the literature by examining the extent to which secondary school educational experiences and occupational expectations explain the gender gap in the choice of a mathematically intensive university major. I used logistic regression models and the KHB method to analyse the data from the 2003 cohort of the Longitudinal Survey of Australian Youth. Overall, I found that about 28 percent of the gender gap could be explained by students’ expectations of a mathematically oriented career while in secondary school, self-assessed mathematical competence in adolescence and engagement in advanced mathematics and physical science subjects in the final year of secondary school. The results of the KHB method demonstrate that the expectation of a mathematically oriented career has the greatest potential to bridge the gender gap.

Intimate Partner Violence and Help-Seeking Behavior among Migrant Women in Australia

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is an issue of global concern and there is a dearth of research into the culture-specific barriers that migrant women in Australia face. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine the extent to which migrant women in Australia experience IPV, and to understand the factors that influence their help-seeking behavior. One hundred and thirty migrant women from the continents of Asia, Europe, South America, North America and Africa aged between 19 and 65 years (M = 38.15 years) reported their experiences of IPV and their preparedness to seek assistance through surveys. The results showed that over 50% of the participants experienced some form of IPV, with the most common type being verbal and emotional, followed by physical and psychological, and then financial. Most women indicated that they needed help, however, many refrained from seeking it; a range of barriers influenced their decision to not seek assistance. The findings have implications for future studies examining violence against culturally and linguistically diverse minority women, the barriers in them seeking assistance and their main sources of support.

Counting Dead Women in Australia: An In-Depth Case Review of Femicide

Gender-based fatal violence (femicide) is a preventable cause of premature death. The Counting Dead Women Australia (CDWA) campaign is a femicide census counting violent deaths of women in Australia from 2014. We conducted a cross-sectional in-depth review of CDWA cases Jan-Dec 2014 to establish evidence of antecedent factors and describe femicide in Australia. Victim (n = 81) and perpetrator (n = 83) data were extracted from the CDWA register, law databases and coronial reports. Mixed methods triangulation of socio-demographic and incident characteristics. Women ranged in age from 20 to 82 years of age (44 ± 15.4). There were 83 perpetrators, of which 13 were unknown (not yet apprehended). Known perpetrators (n = 70) ranged in age from 16 to 72 years of age (40 ± 12.7) and 89% were male (62/70). The location of the crime was most frequently the victim’s home (49/70). In cases where the relationship between the victim and perpetrator was known (n = 59), over half of femicides were committed by intimate-partners (33/59). Intimate-partner perpetrators were more likely to have a history of violence and commit murder-suicide than other perpetrators. Femicide is overwhelmingly perpetrated by males, with women most vulnerable in their own home and with their intimate partners. Furthermore, intimate-partner femicide is associated with modifiable risk factors, including previous violence and mental health issues, which represents opportunities for early intervention within healthcare settings as practitioners are well-placed to identify risk and provide support. In line with recommendations for multi-sectoral approach, future research should target identification of risk and protective factors, and improved coordination of data collection.

Nexus between Domestic Violence and Child Protection: Multidimensional Forms of Oppression Impacting on Migrant and Refugee Women in Australia

ABSTRACTSocial workers employed within DFV or CPS need to recognise the complex interactions across multidimensional forms of oppression impacting on women from migrant and refugee backgrounds; for example: race, ethnicity, social class, patriarchy, religion, immigration/citizenship status, and linguistic diversity. This article explores these issues facing migrant and refugee communities in a DFV and CPS context in Australia. Using the three lenses of evidence-based policy outlined by Brian Head in 2008, the authors highlight how these intersections play out in the research and policy landscape, which to date has been slow to develop a comprehensive knowledge base on cultural competenciesIMPLICATIONSSocial workers need to recognise the complex intersections of oppression impacting on migrant and refugee women and children who are dealing with DFV and how this intersects with power, identity, and social injustices.Recognition of these factors should lead to practice changes; for example, the development of appropriate practice guidelines.

Resilience in the Face of Adversity: Narratives from Ageing Indigenous Women in Australia

There is an increasing body of work identifying and analyzing notions of resilience from indigenous perspectives. Notwithstanding the utility of this research for the Australian context (some parallels may be cautiously inferred for some Indigenous Australian groups), critical knowledge gaps exist in our understanding of how Australian Indigenous peoples, particularly Indigenous women, construct, perform and express resilience. This paper addresses this gap by presenting data from focus group discussions with 11 Indigenous Australian women, which highlights how the women confront the everyday challenges of ‘being Indigenous’. The women spoke of not only of a strong sense of identity in the face of negative stereotypes but also demonstrated their ability to adapt to change, rebound from negative historical socio-cultural and political systemic changes and ways to keep their identities and cultures strong within contemporary Australia. We contend that a focus on Indigenous resilience is more significant for social change because it not only moves away from deficit-discourses about Indigenous Australian groups, it highlights their remarkable strengths in adapting, recovering and continuing in white-centric, antagonistic conditions.

Early Detection of Breast Cancer and Barrier to Screening Programmes amongst Thai Migrant Women in Australia: A Qualitative Study

Background:Breast cancer screening programme is seen as the best practice to detect breast cancer early. However, there are circumstances that can prevent immigrant women from attending screening programmes. Little is known about Thai migrants and the barriers to their seeking breast cancer screening when living in a new homeland. This paper aimed to discuss the barriers to attending screening services among Thai migrant women living in Australia.Methods:This study adopted qualitative approach. Semi-structured in-depth interviewing and drawing methods were employed as data collection technique with 25 Thai migrant women who had not experienced breast cancer and were living in Metropolitan Melbourne, Australia. Thematic analysis method was employed to analyse the data.Results:Basing on the Health Belief Model, most Thai migrant women did not perceive that they were at risk of breast cancer. Despite seeing a breast cancer screening programme as important, the women rarely paid attention to breast cancer screening and used the mammography services provided by the Australian health care system. The barriers included the location of the services, unfamiliar patterns of health care provision, and language difficulties.Conclusions:There are many barriers that that they encountered in Australia that prevent Thai migrant women living in Melbourne Australia to pay attention to mammographic screening service provided by Australia health system. Our findings suggest that health services and interventions need to be designed more sensitive to the needs and socio-cultural context of migrant women in general and Thai migrant women in particular.

The Double Delegitimatisation of Julia Gillard: Gender, the Media, and Australian Political Culture

This article explores Australian media coverage of Julia Gillard's leadership. It employs a comparative discourse analysis of the gendered nature of media reporting on her sexism and misogyny speech and eventual demise. The article places these gendered framings within two contexts: that of the more general gendered expectations of the double bind facing all women leaders; and the more specific challenge to Australia's women leaders, posed by exclusivist national identity narratives. These narratives — of mateship, the ANZAC myth, and various apparently ideal‐type masculinities — serve to further disassociate Australian women from positions of national leadership. Together, we argue that the twin constraints of gender expectations and exclusivist national identity narratives amounted to a double delegitimisation of Julia Gillard's leadership, on the basis of her being a woman leader, generally, and an Australian woman leader, specifically.