Social Science
Something is (still) missing? Feminist services for forced migrants surviving sexual and gender-based violence in Sweden, Australia, Turkey and the United Kingdom
Hannah Bradby,
Hannah Bradby
Department of Sociology, Uppsala University, Box 624, Se-751 26 Uppsala, Sweden
Anna Papoutsi,
Anna Papoutsi
Social Policy, Sociology, Criminology, University of Birmingham, United Kingdom
Jeanine Hourani,
Jeanine Hourani
Gender and Women's Health Unit, Centre for Health Equity, University of Melbourne, Australia
Selin Akyuz,
Selin Akyuz
Department of Political Science and International Relations, TED University, Turkey
Jenny Phillimore
Jenny Phillimore
Social Policy, Sociology, Criminology, University of Birmingham, United Kingdom
Peer Reviewed
Abstract
Aim Sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) is a clear harm for individual and family health, as well as for society at large. A feminist public health should ensure that services meet women's self-identified needs, with an inclusive definition of woman-kind and an understanding of the intersectional nature of the disadvantage that forced migrant women face. Methods Semi-structured interviews with 166 forced migrants who have suffered SGBV and 107 providers of services to forced migrants in Australia, Sweden, Turkey and the UK, were undertaken as part of wider project. After translation and transcription, thematic analysis sought all mentions of feminism, descriptions of services along feminist lines and evaluations of the feminist-nature of services. Result Services were said to be hard to approach much of the time and did not always focus on forced migrants' assessments of their own needs. Those services that did attend to migrants' own expression of their needs were said to be helpful in the recovery process. Interviews with service providers indicated that, while feminism was regularly a personal philosophy, it less often informed service design and delivery. A tension between individual empowerment and a collective assertion of women's rights is part of the contested understanding of feminism, with an intersectional criticism of secular, individualist assumptions of a wholly rights-based approach. The co-opting of women's rights to pursue a securitization agenda indicates tensions between different versions of feminism. Conclusion The failure to design and deliver services that facilitate forced migrants' recovery from SGBV represents an ongoing failure to understand, apply and test the insights of decades of feminism.
Key Questions
What challenges do forced migrant women face in accessing services after experiencing sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV)?
Forced migrant women often find services difficult to approach and may feel that these services do not prioritize their self-identified needs. This disconnect can hinder their recovery process and discourage them from seeking further assistance.
How do service providers' personal beliefs influence the design and delivery of services for forced migrant women?
While many service providers personally identify with feminist philosophies, these beliefs do not always translate into the design and delivery of services. There exists a tension between promoting individual empowerment and advocating for collective women's rights, leading to varied interpretations of feminism in service provision.
What are the critiques of traditional feminist approaches in the context of forced migrant women's experiences?
Traditional feminist approaches have been critiqued for their secular and individualistic assumptions, which may not align with the intersectional disadvantages faced by forced migrant women. Additionally, the co-opting of women's rights agendas for security purposes can create further tensions and may not adequately address the unique needs of this population.
What recommendations does the article make to improve services for forced migrant women who have experienced SGBV?
The article emphasizes the need to design and deliver services that are informed by decades of feminist insights. This includes adopting an inclusive definition of womanhood, understanding the intersectional nature of disadvantages faced by forced migrant women, and ensuring that services are responsive to their self-identified needs to facilitate effective recovery from SGBV.
