Responding to the Complex and Gendered Needs of Refugee Women

Citation:

Deacon, Zermarie, and Cris Sullivan. 2009. “Responding to the Complex and Gendered Needs of Refugee Women.” Affilia: Journal of Women and Social Work 24 (3): 272–84.

Authors: Zermarie Deacon, Cris Sullivan

Abstract:

Refugee women’s experiences and needs are qualitatively different from those of men. However, women’s experiences have long been overlooked in favor of a male-centered paradigm that governs the response to survivors of warfare. To close this gap in science and practice, a needs assessment was conducted with 31 refugee women. The findings revealed the importance of considering the impact of refugee women’s sociodemographic characteristics on their experiences in resettlement and the significance of their need for basic resources. Meeting these needs may facilitate the resettlement process and ameliorate the gendered effects of resettlement on refugee women.

Keywords: needs assessment, refugee resettlement, refugee women

Topics: Displacement & Migration, Refugees, Gender, Women

Year: 2009