This mixed methods systematic review synthesizes recent evidence on the predictors, barriers, and facilitators for refugee women’s employment and economic inclusion, incorporating their experiences and perspectives.
The review includes empirical studies published in English between January 1, 2011, and March 31, 2023, from peer-reviewed journals and grey literature. The review focuses on studies involving women with a refugee background (18 years or older) and considers interventions related to vocational training programs or employment models. Following a methodological quality assessment, 31 studies were included in the final review: 11 quantitative, 19 qualitative, and one mixed-methods study.
Main findings:
- Employment rates fluctuate significantly according to geographic location and demographic characteristics. Refugee women’s employment rates vary significantly across host countries, with an average rate of 31 percent based on pooled data from seven studies. This variation is influenced by both geographic location and demographic characteristics.
- Several demographic factors impact employment prospects for refugee women. Older age, child-bearing age, and parenthood at age 30 are often associated with lower employment rates. Mental and physical health are significant predictors of employment opportunities. Family structure also plays a role, with larger household size and more children posing barriers to employment. Education is a crucial determinant, with higher levels of education generally leading to better employment prospects.
- Societal and cultural factors significantly influence refugee women’s employment. Region of origin and cultural background impact integration and employment outcomes. In developed countries, refugee women faced challenges such as cultural and language barriers, unrecognized qualifications, and restrictive gender norms. Work experience in the host country, duration of stay and language proficiency are also important factors.
- Governmental support can significantly impact refugee women’s employment. Extended case management programs can enhance employment prospects, while receiving government benefits may decrease job search efforts. Work-first policies, often influenced by gender, can have mixed results. Engagement with mass media and associations can also positively impact employment opportunities.
- Employment fosters dignity, personal growth, and shifts in gender roles. Employment plays a critical role in enhancing refugee women’s personal growth, empowerment, autonomy, well-being, and cultural integration. It also aids in overcoming language barriers and understanding the host country’s norms. However, feelings of alienation and overlooked skills often impede emotional connection to the host culture and eventually affect refugee women’s interest in seeking employment and economic integration.
- Women encounter systemic, cultural, and personal challenges when pursuing employment. Key barriers for refugee women’s employment included: language difficulties, unrecognized qualifications, and systemic inadequacies, like resettlement policies and insufficient support. Experiences of discrimination, violence, and societal expectations further compound these challenges.
- Refugee women demonstrate resourcefulness in navigating employment challenges. Livelihood strategies included engagement with social media, part-time or sporadic work, and employment in traditional female roles such as in hospitality, retail, and performing menial tasks. Engaging in career development, language proficiency, and digital literacy also contribute to their success.
The evidence underscores the need for responsive and targeted policies that address the specific barriers that women with a refugee background encounter in their journey toward employment. These might include gender-sensitive and inclusive policies that facilitate the recognition and validation of foreign qualifications, language acquisition, and the development of skills relevant to the host country’s job market.