Empowering refugee women in Wales (Data Management Plan)

<p dir="ltr">Refugee women in Wales face a harsh and often hidden reality. While they seek sanctuary and a fresh start, they encounter immense barriers—barriers that prevent them from accessing education and employment, leaving them isolated and marginalised. Only 34% of refugee women in the UK are employed, compared to 62% of non-refugee women. These women are not only grappling with the trauma of displacement but also with discrimination, poverty, and the burden of being unseen. This project seeks to uncover the root causes of these barriers and pave the way for real, lasting change. By engaging directly with refugee women, the research will ensure that their voices are not just heard but drive the direction of the work. We’ll hold community forums and focus groups to gather their lived experiences, learning from their struggles and hopes.</p><table><tr><td><p dir="ltr"><b>Key activities include:</b></p></td></tr><tr><td><p dir="ltr"><b>1. Community Focus Groups</b>: Bringing together refugee women from across Wales to share their experiences and identify key barriers they face.</p></td></tr><tr><td><p dir="ltr"><b>2. Employer and Educator Engagement</b>: Working with stakeholders to understand how they can support the integration of refugee women into the workforce and education system.</p></td></tr><tr><td><p dir="ltr"><b>3. Data Collection and Analysis</b>: Gathering both hard data and personal stories to paint a full picture of the issues at hand.</p></td></tr><tr><td><p dir="ltr"><b>4. Co-create Solutions and introduction toolkit</b>: Developing practical, actionable recommendations and an education and employment toolkit that are shaped by the people directly affected—refugee women themselves.</p><p dir="ltr"><b>Outputs</b></p><p dir="ltr"><b>Research Report: </b>present the findings from the workshops with refugee women, offering a clear understanding of the barriers they face in accessing education and employment. It will include recommendations for both policy and community-based interventions to address these barriers.</p><p><br></p><p dir="ltr"><b>Co-created Toolkit: </b>An easy-to-use toolkit—co-created with refugee women—providing essential guidance for both refugee women seeking education and employment and employers looking to support them.</p><p dir="ltr"><b>For Refugee Women: Pathways to Education & Employment</b></p><p dir="ltr"><b>✅</b><b> Education Pathways:</b>Step-by-step guidance on accessing English language courses, vocational training, and formal education to build skills and confidence.</p><p dir="ltr"><b>✅</b><b> Finding Work; </b>Practical advice on accessing programmes to support CV writing, iinterveiw preparation, and finding voluntary or paid job opportunities.</p><p dir="ltr"><b>✅</b><b> Workplace Rights & Support:</b> Information on workplace rights, fair treatment, and organisations that can offer additional help and guidance.</p><p dir="ltr"><b>For Employers: Creating Inclusive Workplaces</b></p><p dir="ltr"><b>✅</b><b> Hiring & Supporting Refugee Women: </b>Best practices for recruiting, onboarding, and mentoring refugee women in the workplace.</p><p dir="ltr"><b>✅</b><b> Inclusive Workplace Strategies:</b> How to create a supportive environment, provide language support, and foster career growth.</p><p dir="ltr"><b>✅</b><b> Practical Guidance: </b>Key considerations on how organisations can implement areas of Wales' Nation of Sanctuary plan into business operations.</p><p dir="ltr"><b>The report will serve as a key resource for local authorities, policymakers, and organisations working with refugee women, guiding future initiatives and funding applications.</b></p><p dir="ltr"><b>The ultimate aim is to produce a report that not only highlights the key challenges but offers tangible solutions to overcome them. This research will inform future policy, programme development, and our advocacy efforts, driving systemic change to ensure refugee women in Wales have the chance to thrive, rebuild their lives, and contribute to their communities.</b></p></td></tr></table><p></p>