Identifying factors that facilitate or inhibit the integration of female Afghan refugees into British society

This thesis sought to identifying some of the factors that facilitate or inhibit the integration of female Afghan refugees into British society. The research was designed within interpretivist paradigm of inquiry. Qualitative, semi-structured interviews were conducted in Farsi and English with fifteen Afghan women refugees from a refugee organisation in London. The resulting data was analysed using thematic analysis and this revealed the importance of understanding pre-migration trauma, as well as postmigration stressors, in relation to integration. While the pre-migration experiences of the women were dominated by patriarchal control and violence within the home, and political violence and persecution outside of the home, these experiences of repression were also moderated or exacerbated by the tribal/ ethnic origin of the women. The research also found that while the Afghan women had come to seek asylum and safety in the UK, many of them continued to face violence from both men and other women in the family. Although the violence within the home appeared to be less prevalent amongst women from the Hazara ethnic group with a higher educational background. The study contributes new insights into the research on refugee women and the findings suggest that while some Afghan women refugees may be able to show adaptive and coping strategy upon resettlement, this is more difficult when traditional patriarchal values are enforced within the home, and women find themselves trapped in situations of familial power relations. Moreover, the research indicates that the ethnic / tribal origins of Afghan refugee women may impact on their experiences of integration. However, the analysis also highlighted the benefit of joining refugee organisation in providing social support and enhancing their confidence and resilience among Afghan women refugees.