Barriers to education and employment among Arabic speaking refugee and immigrant women
International Journal of Migration, Health and Social Care
ISSN: 1747-9894
Article publication date: 8 April 2022
Issue publication date: 31 May 2022
Abstract
Purpose
During the refugee resettlement process, women are often subject to discriminatory policies, which may put them at risk of a difficult transition. This study aims to extend and contextualize previous findings documenting the barriers Arabic-speaking refugee and immigrant women face with regards to gaining education and employment.
Design/methodology/approach
Through telephone-based surveys, the authors examined the social situations, barriers and assets to gaining education and employment among Arabic speaking refugee and immigrant women (N = 50) in North Carolina.
Findings
Findings include barriers to education and employment such as the need for childcare, English proficiency and lack of transportation. Assets include connections to the community and special skills such as cooking and sewing.
Research limitations/implications
This study has limitations such as a lack of representation among asylees, reliance on self-report and small sample size. Implications: this study’s findings have implications for community and medical providers’ efforts to assist refugees and immigrant’s women in education and employment and to close the gap in the social determinants of health as well as for research in this area. Minimizing the barriers that prevent them from learning English or attaining employment will require coordinated efforts across the local community, county and even the state.
Practical implications
The findings from this study inform research that may be relevant to other communities seeking an understanding of the social challenges faced by Arabic-speaking refugees and immigrant women, Muslim and Christian.
Originality/value
This study adds important information about the health and social lives of an understudied population. The authors’ discuss the implications of these findings for community members and health practitioners to better assist this population in a successful resettlement process.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors thank the contributions of all participants and the support from World Relief Triad, the Good Neighborhood Team, Anoor Islamic Center, Worship Centers, Knollwood Church under the lead of Dr Dean Clifford, the Refugee Advisory Collision, Dr Julie Linton and members of Building Integrated Communities, Forsyth Refugee Health Collaboration and Wake Forest University Student Association for the Advancement of Refugees. The authors thank the contribution of compliance with Ethical Standards.
Citation
Namak, S., Aboud Syriani, F., Singer, M. and Ballard, P.J. (2022), "Barriers to education and employment among Arabic speaking refugee and immigrant women", International Journal of Migration, Health and Social Care, Vol. 18 No. 2, pp. 125-138. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJMHSC-03-2021-0024
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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