23. The Impact of Immigration Policy on Women’s Health & Well-Being
SUMMARY
Organizers:
Denise L. Spitzer
University of Alberta
CANADA
denise.spitzer@ualberta.ca
Sonia Bitar
Changing Together. . . A Centre for Immigrant Women
CANADA
changing@icrossroads.com
Anne Neufeld
University of Alberta
CANADA
anne.neufeld@ualberta.ca
Description:
Until recently, women have been absent from the research and statistics that describe global migration. Re-unification of families, medical screening, the availability of social support, and the ability to find gainful employment are matters that are of particular importance to immigrant and refugee women who comprise the vast majority of the world’s refugees and ancillary migration. This workshop raises the question: What impact do immigration policies have on immigrant and refugee women’s ability to sustain their physical, economic, and psychological well-being, and that of their families?
The goals of the workshop are:
- To stimulate discussion about the impact of
immigration policies on the well-being of migrant women and their families;
- To examine research issues including community
partnerships and advocacy;
- To identify the key policy issues that have a
negative impact on migrant women and their families;
- And to develop an informal international network of
people interested in women and migration.
Workshop participants will provide brief presentations on topics related to immigration policies that in effect delay family re-unification, proscribe the boundaries of the family unit, limit migration due to health issues such as HIV/AIDS, and erect barriers to economic and social participation in society. Audience members will be asked to contribute comparisons and will be engaged in discussion during each presentation. Using participatory techniques such as "dotmocracy", audience members will be asked to establish criteria for improving policies and practices to enable migrant women to attain their health, social and economic goals.
Presenters
Joan Anderson, University of British Columbia, CANADA Abstract Paper
Sonia Bitar, Changing Together. . . A Centre for Immigrant Women, CANADA Abstract Paper
Wambui Gatheniya, Ministry of Education, KENYA Abstract Paper
Rashmi Joshee, Department of Canadian Heritage, CANADA Abstract Paper
Barbara Leung, Alberta Learning, Government of Alberta, CANADA
Lucenia Marquez-Ortiz , Cultural Brokers Co-operative, CANADA Abstract Paper
Anne Neufeld, University of Alberta, CANADA Abstract Paper
Linda Ogilvie, University of Alberta, CANADA Abstract Paper
Farah Shroff, Vancouver/Richmond Health Board, CANADA Abstract Paper
Denise L. Spitzer, University of Alberta, CANADA Abstract Paper
Schedule of Workshop
