• Migration is not a new phenomenon, it has been part of the human experience throughout history. Understanding current migratory dynamics requires observation and analysis of complex movements, which have an important impact in countries of origin as well as in destination countries.
  • Socio-cultural difference is known to be a factor which can lead to inequality. That is, migrants can be excluded from job opportunities, educational opportunities and social relationships due to their customs, language, ethnicity or religion.
  • Women have as their primary migration role supporting their household by taking care of domestic responsibilities in the country of destination. Due to gender divisions of labour in fulfilling domestic responsibilities, immigrant women are relegated to their household environment. While this is an important source of family support and care, it limits their contact with those from outside their inner circle. Thus, they carry a greater level of responsibilities, especially when facing times of financial difficulty and other familial stresses. This situation increases their dependency, maintaining their situation of social inequality and sometimes leading to discrimination, neglect and/or violence.

THE SITUATION OF MIGRANT WOMEN

For social integration to become a reality, every member of the family must find the appropriate spaces for it: From school attendance for minors to professional training for youngsters and adults to care for the elderly. In the case of immigrant women, this either does not happen, or it happens very late.

Women are relegated to domestic duties and on average tend to take much longer time to integrate, encountering the following common challenges:

  • They face difficulties in providing academic support for their children due to having lower language skills than their own children, even during the first years of primary or nursery school.
  • They have less of a social life and fewer opportunities for active social participation (e.g., school meetings, community and leisure engagements) because of their limited language fluency.
  • They have low self-esteem and a negative view of themselves due to being limited in their competencies.
  • They become very dependent on others in order to access information about important matters in their community (e.g., health, school, cultural matters) as well as any administrative processes, such as information searches and administrative procedures.
  • Furthermore, if they live in rural areas or small towns with inefficient transportation systems, they many times face isolation, which does not facilitate participation and social relationships within their communities.

Therefore, it is key to provide multiple support efforts designed to promote the participation of women, including developing new local initiatives, improving relationships within their community and driving transformations in such communities that lead to a better quality of life for everyone.

GOALS:

  • Facilitate the integration process of migrant women through the learning of Spanish.
  • Assist in the processes of recruitment and empowerment of immigrant women in rural areas.
  • Promote the participation of women and create mutual support networks.
  • Launch the creation of women’s associations (immigrants and locals).
  • Support rural communities in transforming living conditions.
  • Promote the knowledge and benefits of the local culture as well as its available community recreational resources
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