Women in volunteering and social work: the case of Mareena organization
Author
Hurtisova, Nina
Term
4. term
Publication year
2022
Submitted on
2022-01-03
Pages
62
Abstract
Dette speciale undersøger, hvorfor kvinder ofte engagerer sig i frivilligt arbejde og socialt arbejde, med udgangspunkt i et casestudie af Mareena, en pro-migrant NGO i Slovakiet. Slovakiet modtager ikke store mængder flygtninge, men der findes en migrantbefolkning, som har brug for en tolerant og respektfuld tilgang, støtte og vejledning. Mareena blev grundlagt i 2015 efter migrationskrisen og ledes udelukkende af kvinder. Organisationen hjælper flygtninge på vejen mod integration og assimilation i det nye land og dets kultur gennem samtaler, projekter, kulturelle arrangementer og andre aktiviteter, hvor lokale borgere møder tilflyttere og kan se deres fælles træk. I et traditionelt og religiøst land, hvor det ukendte ofte vækker usikkerhed og negative forestillinger om flygtninge, arbejder Mareena for at bygge bro og mindske afstande mellem mennesker. Specialet opstiller hypotesen, at kvinder i højere grad end mænd søger mod den sociale sektor. Det giver et teoretisk overblik over NGO’er (ikke-statslige organisationer), frivillighed, socialt arbejde og organisationer, der hjælper flygtninge, med særlig fokus på kvinders rolle i den tredje sektor (non-profit/civilsamfund). Den empiriske del består af interviews med ansatte og frivillige i Mareena, som giver indblik i organisationen, dens arbejdsmiljø og kvinders erfaringer i den tredje sektor. Interviewene analyseres for at belyse fordelingen mellem kønnene, om ét køn er mere tilbøjeligt til denne karrierevej, og hvilke faktorer der kan spille ind. Ved at kombinere primære og sekundære kilder søger specialet at besvare forskningsspørgsmålet og give læseren et solidt kendskab til NGO-sektoren og kvinders engagement i den.
This thesis examines why women often take up volunteering and social work, using a case study of Mareena, a pro-migrant non-governmental organization in Slovakia. Although the country does not receive large numbers of refugees, there is a migrant community that needs a tolerant, respectful approach, support, and guidance. Founded in 2015 after the migration crisis, Mareena is led exclusively by women. It supports refugees on their path to integration and assimilation into Slovak society and culture through discussions, projects, cultural events, and other activities that bring local residents and newcomers together. In a traditional and religious context where unfamiliarity can fuel fear and negative perceptions of refugees, these efforts aim to build bridges and reduce social distance. The thesis starts from the hypothesis that women are more likely than men to work in the social sector. It provides a theoretical overview of NGOs (non-governmental organizations), volunteering, social work, and organizations that assist refugees, with a focus on women’s roles in the third sector (non-profit civil society). The empirical part consists of interviews with Mareena employees and volunteers, offering insight into the organization, its work environment, and women’s experiences in the third sector. The interviews are analyzed to explore gender ratios, whether one gender is more drawn to this career path, and possible influences and reasons. By combining primary and secondary sources, the thesis seeks to answer the research question and familiarize readers with the NGO sector and women’s engagement in it.
[This summary has been rewritten with the help of AI based on the project's original abstract]
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