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“You Have to Go Gently”: Mentors’ Perspectives of a Peer Mentoring Empowerment Program to Reduce Marginalization in Refugee and Migrant Women

Author

Listed:
  • Shelley Gower

    (Curtin School of Nursing, Curtin University, Perth 6102, Australia)

  • Zakia Jeemi

    (Curtin School of Population Health, Curtin University, Perth 6102, Australia)

  • Jaya A. R. Dantas

    (Curtin School of Population Health, Curtin University, Perth 6102, Australia)

Abstract

The Empowerment and Peer Mentoring of Migrant and Refugee Women pilot program (EMPOWER) provides a mechanism for migrant women who have established lives in Australia to mentor newly arrived women to build the ability, confidence, and knowledge to overcome barriers to the social determinants of health such as employment. Female migrant mentors (n = 21) met with their mentees (n = 32) on a regular basis over a period of 3 to 12 months between September 2019 and November 2021. The individual mentoring was augmented by group workshops facilitated by content experts and the research team. The unique perspectives of the mentors were explored through individual interviews (n = 15) and analysis of journal entries (n = 58) submitted regularly by mentors throughout the program. Thematic analysis revealed that mentors were intrinsically motivated to build strong and trusting connections with their mentees, which were pivotal to reducing inequalities for mentees and their families. Mentors had high expectations of themselves and demonstrated commitment and flexibility to accommodate mentees’ needs. However, they sometimes struggled when supporting mentees who were overwhelmed by the systemic and other stressors associated with resettlement and pre-migration trauma. Regular networking and moral support for mentors would enhance future programs.

Suggested Citation

  • Shelley Gower & Zakia Jeemi & Jaya A. R. Dantas, 2022. "“You Have to Go Gently”: Mentors’ Perspectives of a Peer Mentoring Empowerment Program to Reduce Marginalization in Refugee and Migrant Women," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(11), pages 1-15, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:11:p:6434-:d:824000
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Jessica L. Lucero & Kristina M. Scharp & Tanni Hernandez, 2020. "Assessing Organizational Cultural Responsiveness among Refugee-Servicing Domestic Violence Agencies," Social Sciences, MDPI, vol. 9(10), pages 1-15, October.
    2. Shelley Gower & Zakia Jeemi & Niranjani Wickramasinghe & Paul Kebble & David Forbes & Jaya A R Dantas, 2022. "Impact of a Pilot Peer-Mentoring Empowerment Program on Personal Well-Being for Migrant and Refugee Women in Western Australia," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(6), pages 1-17, March.
    3. Martin, Shannon M. & Sifers, Sarah K., 2012. "An evaluation of factors leading to mentor satisfaction with the mentoring relationship," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 34(5), pages 940-945.
    4. Gaillard, Desireé & Hughes, Kate, 2014. "Key considerations for facilitating employment of female Sudanese refugees in Australia," Journal of Management & Organization, Cambridge University Press, vol. 20(5), pages 671-690, September.
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    Cited by:

    1. Claire P. Street & Poh Yen Ng & Haya Al-Dajani, 2022. "Refugee Women Business Mentors: New Evidence for Women’s Empowerment," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(15), pages 1-21, July.

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