Empowerment and integration of refugee women: a transdisciplinary approach

Maissa Khatib, Tanya Purwar (), Rushabh Shah, Maricarmen Vizcaino and Luciano Castillo
Additional contact information
Maissa Khatib: Arizona State University
Tanya Purwar: Purdue University
Rushabh Shah: Arizona State University
Maricarmen Vizcaino: Arizona State University
Luciano Castillo: Purdue University

Palgrave Communications, 2024, vol. 11, issue 1, 1-18

Abstract: Abstract Female refugees encounter unique challenges in host societies. These challenges often surpass those faced by male refugees, particularly in accessing the job market and making economic contributions to their new communities. Despite substantial literature on the challenges faced by refugee women, there remains a significant gap in research specifically focused on targeted educational and entrepreneurial interventions for this demographic. Additionally, studies exploring effective integration strategies through such targeted initiatives are notably scarce. This study, motivated by the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, seeks to fill this gap by examining the intersection of gender, immigration status, and climate change adaptation. It evaluates the effectiveness of an educational intervention tailored for refugee women within a transdisciplinary framework incorporating STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, & Math) and social science disciplines. This intervention aims to enhance subjective well-being, particularly by fostering sustainable entrepreneurship, facilitating integration into host societies, and fostering long-term contributions to climate change adaptation and resilience. Employing a mixed-methods approach, the study yields quantitative findings suggesting positive shifts in participants’ overall well-being post-intervention, albeit not reaching statistical significance. Qualitative analysis reveals four central themes: pre-program feelings of isolation and detachment, personal growth, supportive ecosystems, and increased sense of belonging. The qualitative findings serve to complement and enrich our understanding of the intervention’s effectiveness, offering valuable insights that may not be fully captured through quantitative measures alone. From these findings, it is evident that a gender-focused approach is essential for providing tailored integration support. These insights are valuable for policymakers, educators, and stakeholders alike. By recognizing and addressing the specific challenges faced by refugee women during resettlement, this intervention not only facilitates their integration into host societies but also enhances their overall well-being.

Date: 2024
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

Downloads: (external link)
http://link.springer.com/10.1057/s41599-024-03723-w Abstract (text/html)
Access to full text is restricted to subscribers.

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:pal:palcom:v:11:y:2024:i:1:d:10.1057_s41599-024-03723-w

Ordering information: This journal article can be ordered from
https://www.nature.com/palcomms/about

DOI: 10.1057/s41599-024-03723-w

Access Statistics for this article

More articles in Palgrave Communications from Palgrave Macmillan
Bibliographic data for series maintained by Sonal Shukla () and Springer Nature Abstracting and Indexing ().