Gender and the career trajectories of highly skilled Syrian refugees in Switzerland

Abstract

This article looks at the role of gender relations and norms in the (re)making of career trajectories of highly skilled Syrian refugees in Switzerland. We explore how refugees encounter gender regimes while making sense of their present work situation vis-à-vis their career plans. We draw upon a qualitative study conducted with 27 highly skilled Syrian refugees in Switzerland. How do refugees encounter different gender regimes in Switzerland? What is the significance of gender in their transition to a new labour market? How do they re-negotiate gender meanings and roles following the displacement? Our findings show that refugees (re)make sense of gender norms, roles and meanings across space and time vis-à-vis their career trajectories. The gender regimes these people refer to are highly diversified and shape people’s negotiation of family roles and identities in complex and at times ambivalent ways, also along multiple lines of belonging.