Employment as a tool of integration and empowerment? Experiences of female African migrants living and working in Norway

Abstract

This research study designed to explore female migrants from Africa experiences of employment as a tool for integration and empowerment into Norwegian society. It explores different social and economic effects of employment and explores the impact of employment for female’s empowerment and integration. In addition, it examines challenges faced to acquire labour or carrier like discrimination. Qualitative approach was opted as the research method for this project as it enables the researcher to explore the topic under study deeper by using semi-structured interviews. The research findings indicate that native language was central to gaining employment, which in turn becomes a tool to empowerment and integration into Norwegian society. Employment gives individuals a sense of worthiness, self-esteem and belonging and a sense of feeling integrated into Norwegian society. However, findings also indicated challenges faced by females’ immigrants in acquiring employment or career for instance, native language barrier, discrimination or prejudice, lack of network as well as lack of experiences in existing labour market, to mention a few. In addition, not all employed female migrants share the same experiences of employment as a tool for integration. Nevertheless, they acknowledge that employment is a goal to empowerment and integration into Norwegian society.