THE ROLE OF WORK AND THE SENSE OF ECONOMIC FREEDOM AMONG REFUGEE WOMEN WITH FAMILIES IN TROMSØ, NORWAY

Abstract

The thesis reflects on the discussions surrounding refugee participation in work. Furthermore, the thesis seeks to find out the experiences of refugee women after five years of work participation. Focusing on their personal empowerment, relationship with children, changing ideals about femininities across transnational spaces, and creation of social networks, the thesis explores how these factors influence their sense of economic freedom as women with refugee backgrounds. This thesis is a qualitative study, which applies a phenomenal research design. Data was based on interview transcripts with eight refugee women (in and out) of employment. Again, analysing relevant articles and documents concerning work participation and the influence of economic freedom among refugees in Norway. The findings suggest three main accounts leading to the decline in work participation of refugee women namely childbearing and large family size, discrimination at work, and old age and sickness. Also, findings concerning the influence of economic freedom in the areas highlighted suggest that the more participants engaged in work, the higher economic freedom they enjoyed in their personal empowerment, relationship with their children, changing ideals about femininities, and creation of social networks compared to participants who were out of work