“I want to become part of the Australian community”: Challenging the marginalisation of women resettled as refugees in Australia – Findings from a photovoice project

Abstract

This article discusses a community‐based participatory research (CPBR) project, which used photovoice to explore 43 refugee women's perspectives of settlement in Perth, Western Australia. The research was conducted between a university and a multicultural women's health service from 2016 to 17. The women were given cameras and chose topics to photograph, which represented their settlement experiences and, using reflective group dialogue, reflected on their settlement successes and challenges and provided policy recommendations for improving the settlement process. Eleven women were interviewed for further in‐depth reflections, and 22 women selected photographs and wrote accompanying narratives for a travelling photography exhibition. Key themes of the importance of English language learning and family support during the settlement process are explored. Drawing on intersectionality and postcolonial feminist theories, this article discusses how government provisions for English education are incongruent with the settlement needs of women and access to family reunion is largely unattainable, which has negative implications for women's health and well‐being. This article demonstrates how government policy marginalises women and reinforces an existing gendered, racial hierarchy. An intersectional approach to settlement policymaking and programmes is recommended for women's successful settlement.

Impact of a Pilot Peer-Mentoring Empowerment Program on Personal Well-Being for Migrant and Refugee Women in Western Australia

“…This may be a result of isolation due to childcare responsibilities, fewer opportunities for social activities, and a possible lack of language skills [ 16 , 51 ]. Separation from family overseas, and difficulties adapting to gender norms in the host country, are also identified as contributing to poor mental health [ 52 ].…”

Family reunion policy for resettled refugees: Governance, challenges and impacts

“…Additionally, in many resettlement countries there are financial conditions for "host" refugees, including minimum income requirements (Innes and Steele, 2015), and high visa, travelling and long term costs (Refugee Council of Australia, 2021), excluding many from being able to apply for reunion (Brunner et al, 2014;Innes and Steele, 2015). In Australia, while there is a family stream to the overarching migration programme, this is of little use to refugees given prohibitive costs, especially for women (Lumbus et al, 2021). Associated costs for visa, travelling and longer-term caring may impoverish applicants or even lead to destitution.…”

“…A separate case can be made for family reunion under the family stream of Australia's Migration Programme to sponsor aged parents, children, partners, remaining relatives, carers, or aged dependent relatives, but as noted above this is very costly (Wilmsen, 2011). Lumbus et al (2021) argue that the Australian reunification policy, with its focus on the conventional nuclear family, is based on heteronormative values naturalised in Australia's colonial history. UNHCR rejects polygamy and child marriage "enforcing the boundaries of socially acceptable or desirable family constellations" (Welfens and Bonjour, 2021, p. 227).…”

“…Impact on well-being in the present and future prospects Family reunion is critical for the mental health and overall well-being of refugees. Morris et al (2021) found that resettled refugees had an increased desire to belong and more commitment to life in the new country after family reunification, while those separated from family experienced social isolation and distress (Nickerson et al, 2010;Miller et al, 2018;Lumbus et al, 2021). Focusing on West Papuan refugees in Australia, Rees et al (2013) found that separation from family was the greatest post-migration stressor they faced.…”

“…In turn, qualitative research with resettled women refugees in Australia (Lumbus et al, 2021) and New Zealand (Choummanivong et al, 2014) found that the presence of family led them to feel supported in their everyday life. However, family reunion can also reinforce gendered dependencies, as it often assumes a male breadwinner with a female homemaker spouse (Turner and Vera Espinoza, 2021).…”