Post-Pandemic Multidimensional Integration of Afghan Refugee Women in the U.S.

Amid the recent global refugee crisis, the United States (U.S.) hosts over 200,000 Afghan refugees, many struggling to integrate into U.S. society. The COVID-19 pandemic and its subsequent health and social sequelae have severely affected Afghan refugees' lives, especially women, further complicating their integration. This study examines how the pandemic has influenced Afghan refugee women's integration through challenges and facilitators at various socio-ecological levels. Semi-structured interviews with 34 Afghan refugee women and 18 service providers in California were conducted. Interview data were analyzed using the thematic framework to identify themes indicating the impacts of COVID-19 on refugee women's integration based on Ager and Stange's integration framework. Findings revealed multifaceted challenges in refugee women's integration across multiple socio-ecological levels exacerbated by the pandemic including changes in roles, financial illiteracy, language barriers, cultural adaptation issues, inefficient policies, patriarchal culture, administrative overload, and systemic barriers in employment and education. However, factors like empowerment through education and employment, family/friends/community support, socializing, childcare support, awareness of laws and women's rights, and access to culturally competent job opportunities facilitated their integration. This study recommends policies and programs addressing Afghan refugee women's integration challenges and facilitators impacted by the pandemic for better integration into the U.S.