Barriers to the Integration of Refugee and Immigrant Women from non-Western Backgrounds into the Danish Labor Market: A "What's the Problem Represented to Be?" Analysis of KVINFO's Mentor Network approach.
Author
Kariuki, Vivian Wanjiku
Term
4. semester
Education
Publication year
2024
Submitted on
2024-05-31
Abstract
This thesis examines why refugee and immigrant women from non‑Western backgrounds face persistent barriers in the Danish labor market through a critical analysis of KVINFO’s Mentor Network, which since 2003 has paired mentees with mentors to support entry into jobs and education. Using Carol Bacchi’s WPR framework, the study explores how unemployment and integration are problematized in the program’s approach, the underlying assumptions and values, what remains unaddressed, and alternative ways of conceptualizing the issue. Situated within broader theories (including assimilation, feminist, dual labor market, human capital, and street‑level bureaucracy), the findings highlight language barriers, limited professional networks, and insufficient knowledge of the Danish labor market as key obstacles identified by the program. At the same time, the analysis suggests the approach may unintentionally reinforce stereotypes and overlook deeper systemic factors, indicating a need for more holistic and inclusive strategies across policy and practice. The thesis notes methodological limitations, such as potential interpretive bias and the scope of analysis, and recommends longitudinal evaluations and comparative studies of other integration initiatives in varied contexts. Overall, it contributes a nuanced perspective on how mentorship can be strengthened as a tool for integrating non‑Western refugee and immigrant women in Denmark.
Specialet undersøger, hvorfor flygtninge- og indvandrerkvinder med ikke‑vestlig baggrund møder vedvarende barrierer på det danske arbejdsmarked, ved at gennemføre en kritisk analyse af KVINFOs Mentornetværk, der siden 2003 har matchet mentees med mentorer for at støtte adgang til job og uddannelse. Med Carol Bacchis WPR‑rammeværk belyser analysen, hvordan problemet med arbejdsløshed og integration repræsenteres i netværkets tilgang, hvilke antagelser og værdier der ligger til grund, hvad der forbliver uudtalt, og hvordan problemet kan tænkes anderledes. Inden for en bredere teoretisk ramme (bl.a. assimilation, feminisme, dualt arbejdsmarked, humankapital og street‑level bureaucracy) peger resultaterne på sprogbarrierer, manglende professionelle netværk og begrænset kendskab til det danske arbejdsmarked som centrale forhindringer identificeret af programmet. Samtidig indikerer analysen, at tilgangen kan komme til uforvarende at fastholde stereotyper og overse dybere systemiske forhold, hvilket peger på behovet for mere helhedsorienterede og inkluderende strategier på tværs af politik og praksis. Specialet diskuterer metodiske begrænsninger, herunder mulige fortolkningsbias og afgrænsning, og anbefaler fremtidige longitudinelle evalueringer samt sammenligninger med andre integrationsindsatser i forskellige kontekster. Bidraget er et nuanceret indblik i, hvordan mentorskab kan styrkes som integrationsredskab for ikke‑vestlige flygtninge- og indvandrerkvinder i Danmark.
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