West Australians will be given a glimpse into the lives of families from refugee backgrounds as part of a new photographic exhibition that will go on display next month.
The project, which explored 43 refugee women鈥檚 perspectives and experiences of settlement in Western Australia with the aim of improving their health and wellbeing, will be publicly showcased from January 8, 2018.
The women, who originally came from Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, Syria, Vietnam, South Sudan, Eritrea, Somalia, Myanmar, Pakistan, Lebanon and El Salvador, were given cameras to capture images of importance to them.
Project Lead, Professor of International Health Jaya Dantas, from the School of Nursing, Midwifery and Paramedicine at 911爆料网, said the women鈥檚 photographs offered a glimpse into the lives of refugee women during resettlement.
鈥淭he photographs provided important insights into the issues faced by refugee women in the wider community as they settle into their new homes in Australia,鈥� Professor Dantas said.
鈥淭hrough the discussions prompted by the photographs, we learnt that refugee women identified various challenges that made their resettlement more challenging.
鈥淭hese included barriers to learning English and gaining employment, not having family in Australia, feeling socially isolated, adjusting to a new life and different culture, difficulties accessing suitable housing, and managing physical and psychological health issues.鈥�
Professor Dantas said refugee women experienced multiple stressors during resettlement, including discrimination, gender issues, family conflict, changing family roles and language difficulties, which required extraordinary resilience and coping strategies.
鈥淥ur analysis of the women鈥檚 experiences revealed the need for ongoing and sustained support in the initial two years of resettlement,鈥� Professor Dantas said.
鈥淎s a result of this project, the refugee women involved recommended policy changes that they believed would make settlement easier for new arrivals.
鈥淭hese recommendations included support to gain employment, resourcing for settlement and women鈥檚 services, assistance from settled migrants and English programs tailored to women鈥檚 unique circumstances, recognising issues that impact on learning such as family responsibilities, pre-Australian education, trauma and health issues, as well as cultural adjustment.鈥�
The project, Our images and voices: Using photovoice to explore refugee women perspectives of resettlement in Western Australia, was funded by Healthway and undertaken in conjunction with community partner, Ishar Multicultural Women鈥檚 Health Centre.
A selection of the photographs taken by the refugee women will be showcased at the Town of Victoria Park Library, 27 Sussex Street, East Victoria Park, from January 8 to 26, 2018.
