Cultural context

There is no specific profile of migrant women victims of gender-based violence, but there are a number of circumstances and characteristics that increase the risk, such as:

• The migratory mourning: migration will entail many changes for migrant women, as they must leave behind the familiar and face a society different from their own. This generates a feeling similar to grief (for family, friends, culture, language, etc.), in addition to a possible loss of physical and emotional well-being during the process of adapting to your new life. This can result in difficulties in managing your emotions and stress.
• A Continuing stress: migrant women face great pressure in trying to meet their own expectations and desires to improve their situation by emigrating. This includes the challenge of getting a stable and quality job, obtaining the necessary documentation, adapting to the culture and language of the receiving country, facing discrimination due to their immigrant status, and dealing with insecurity in care by public administrations, among other obstacles.
• Cultural shock: differences in the way of living life and understanding culture, plus language can be a problem when it comes to achieving full inclusion and integration, maintaining self-esteem and independence.
• The stereotypes linked to certain nationalities that may manifest as prejudices in a part of society.

• The isolation to which they are subjected by the time devoted to work outside and inside the home, makes it difficult for them to have access to the information necessary to know the resources and means available to get out of the situation of gender-based violence.

• The economic and resource deprivation to which they are subject by the control exercised by men over them because they do not have their own income or quality employment that allows them to have economic independence, making it difficult to leave the home.
• The administrative status is going to be a difficulty when it comes to leaving behind the situation of abuse since the fear of being irregular, being expelled or running out of papers is going to be an obstacle for women.

The particular vulnerability of migrant women victims of gender-based violence is determined by a combination of personal and social factors. Understanding the specific circumstances of inequality faced by migrant women helps us confirm that they are not yet on an equal footing, as in most cases they do not have access to the same opportunities, resources and services as others.

Other aspects such as gender, ethnicity and social class, age, sexual orientation and disability influence the worsening of situations of violence suffered by immigrant women and the increase in vulnerabilities related to their position as migrant women.

The process of adaptation to a new culture involves a large psychosocial impact and, in some cases, can lead to mental health problems. For this reason, it is essential to implement various strategies help mitigate that impact, such as:

• Maintain links with the country of origin.
• Create new support networks.
• Participate in the community through event attendance, volunteering…
• Physical activity away from home.
• Preserve the culture of origin. Learn the language and culture of the new country.
• Maintain contact with the migrant community present in the territory.
• Adapt expectations and the initial migration project to the reality of the context.
• Set realistic short-term goals.
• Performing leisure activities that generate satisfaction and facilitate distraction: making crafts, going to a book club, going to the … cinema
• And, of course, seek support from professionals who can provide guidance and advice in areas: psychological, legal, labor, social, etc.