Challenges Facing Refugee Women. A Critical Review

Abstract

The fear of being persecuted has led to thousands of refugee women fleeing from their homelands to seek safety in other countries. Concerns have been expressed about the security, safety and the rights of female refugees who have not been given the protection offered to male refugees in host countries. This chapter critically assesses the challenges facing women refugees and effectiveness of policies and intervention from international agencies like the UNHCR. Refugee women have less human agency, especially when newly arrived in the destination country. They have no or few legal rights and are powerless and marginalised, and their voices are rarely heard. Sadly, the atrocities encountered in their home countries could be repeated in the destination country. A key concern is that despite policies designed to protect refugees, women were still vulnerable, and they have been subjected to social exclusion, prejudice and discrimination. These experiences have only recently been recognised by the UNHCR. A holistic approach is required in order to solve the problems experienced by women. The needs of female refugees must be included in all phases of a refugee’s life starting with the refugee determination process. In most countries, refugee laws have incorporated gender perspectives in the asylum application process. However, poor and inconsistent implementation of gender-sensitive refugee policies in host countries adds to the vulnerabilities of refugees.