The Experience of Social Exclusion and the Path to Inclusion from the Perspectives of Immigrant and Refugee Women in the Niagara Region

Joanne Crawford (), Tara Lundy, Chiarina Crawford, Jane Moore, Nicole Viscek and Nyarayi Kapisavanhu
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Joanne Crawford: Department of Nursing, Faculty of Applied Health Sciences, Brock University, St. Catharines, ON L2S 3A1, Canada
Tara Lundy: Department of Nursing, Faculty of Applied Health Sciences, Brock University, St. Catharines, ON L2S 3A1, Canada
Chiarina Crawford: Altum Health, Stoney Creek, ON L8G 1B5, Canada
Jane Moore: Department of Nursing, Faculty of Applied Health Sciences, Brock University, St. Catharines, ON L2S 3A1, Canada
Nicole Viscek: Tools of Empowerment for Success (TOES Niagara), Welland, ON L3B 3W7, Canada
Nyarayi Kapisavanhu: Tools of Empowerment for Success (TOES Niagara), Welland, ON L3B 3W7, Canada

IJERPH, 2024, vol. 22, issue 1, 1-25

Abstract: Social inclusion is a common goal for equitable access to resources for living, is important to health and wellbeing, and is supported by most Western or developed nations. Despite this, immigrant and refugee women continue to be excluded from social, cultural, economic, civic, and political participation during and after settlement. Most research exploring the context of social exclusion has reinforced that some groups experience greater exclusion than others in any given population, for example, immigrant women. The purpose of this study was to gain insights by exploring the experiences of social inclusion and exclusion and recommendations from the perspectives of immigrant and refugee women, as well as community service workers in the Niagara Region, Canada. Utilizing qualitative descriptive inquiry underpinned by intersectionality theory along with thematic analysis, we interviewed 10 immigrant and refugee women and 14 community service workers. Five themes were generated: (1) gendered nature of exclusion; (2) levels of exclusion; (3) paving a path for self; (4) formal inclusionary processes; and (5) informal inclusionary processes. The findings will be used to guide community action and may be transferable to community organizations that serve immigrant and refugee women in similar community contexts, with the aim of enhancing collaborations to advance health equity and inclusion.

Keywords: immigrant; refugee; women; social exclusion; social inclusion; migration; strategies; settlement; integration; community (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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