Challenges of Ukrainian Refugees in Germany: Resources for Women’s Empowerment

Abstract

We are currently witnessing one of the biggest waves of refugee’s influx to the EU (forced migrants); 90% of them are women and children. This paper deals with the gender sensitive approach to migration based on a study of the challenges and adaptation strategies of Ukrainian refugees in Germany. In June 2022, an online poll of 430 Ukrainian refugees was conducted by the author that included two open questions about the problems refugees faced since their arrival to Germany. The subsequently undertaken content-analysis on a grounded theory basis allows the author to describe the variety of topics, which occurred in the answers and group the challenges of respondents accordingly: adaptation, uncertainty future, separation, lack of social connections, complicated emotional state. The difference in social-demographic portraits of Ukrainian refugees (i.e. mostly female, mostly with children…) from the previous waves of refugees (i.e. Syria, Afghanistan) gives the opportunity to identify the specificity of female refugees' needs. The paper added to research of emotional challenges of refugees that are shaped by the experience of grief, loss, shame, guilt, fear, pain, loneliness, helplessness. Challenges are considered to be resources for women’s empowerment, providing changes in power structures and social institutions.