The #metoo stories of immigrant women in Iceland published in Kjarninn (Júlíusson, 2018), revealed several underlying factors which contribute to gendered violence and the intersections with race and ethnicity. In the Icelandic context, research and data on this population and gender-based violence is scant. To understand the depth and prevalence of both physical and psychological violence towards immigrant women, our research maps the prevalence of employment-based violence (EBV) and intimate partner violence (IPV). The gendered aspects of such violence are widely substantiated, but the intersection with immigrant status is less understood in Iceland, yet data indicate that a greater proportion of immigrant women seek assistance in the women´s shelter (Kvennaathvarfið, 2017). This knowledge gap indicates that this population is not receiving the protection and services needed, which has long-term effects on the health and well-being of Icelandic society as a whole.

While IPV and EBV against women are significantly different, the stories shared in Kjarninn indicate that both are prevalent in Iceland. Violence and discrimination against women are major public health problems and direct violations of women's human rights (WHO, 2017). Due to these harmful consequences, the need to intervene in and work to prevent EBV and IPV is urgent. In this presentation we explore how services in Iceland support immigrant women who have experienced EBV and/or IPV and the type of information and training available to them. The research questions that frame this presentation are: What type of services and educational provision are available for immigrant women experiencing EBV or IPV? To what extent do preventative and protection resources reach women with immigrant status?

Gender equality is the right to equal opportunities and resources regardless of sex. It is a fundamental human right and “a necessary foundation for a peaceful, prosperous and sustainable world” (United Nations, n.d.). However, it is important that gender equality is examined and understood in relation to an individual’s sense of self and social interactions at the private and public levels. The ways in which equality is represented within societies are evident in institutional systems and structures. These influence the extent to which individual members of a society are able to flourish and the benefits to society as a whole. Iceland was positioned first out of 144 countries in the World Economic Forum’s survey for gender equality in 2017. However, ranking first for the ninth year in a row has created an arguably false international perception that we have all but eliminated gender inequality. International media presents the situation of women in Iceland as almost enviable and a model to be followed (Hafstað, 2015; Hertz, 2016). Although there is much to celebrate, it is important to remember that behind the statistics there exists a complex social reality. Without such recognition, international perceptions create the risk that certain groups of women are overlooked when discussing violations against women on a national level.

We draw on the concept of intersectionality (Hill Collins and Bilge, 2016) to examine the nuanced experience of immigrant women, which we anticipate will differ considerably from women of Icelandic heritage (HRC, 2014). Cultural barriers, including language, culture, limited participation and representation in Icelandic feminist networks and political parties, have tended to dilute or make invisible the unique needs of immigrant women (Hogh, Gomes Carneiro, Giver & Rugulies, 2011; Ahmad, Driver, McNally & Stewart, 2009; Reina, Lohman & Maldonado, 2014). When their experiences become subsumed into and represented by those of the broader category of Icelandic women, we fail to recognize and understand the negative impacts, in particular in terms of how cultural constraints limit negotiation of legal systems, and therefore access to protection.

The empirical data that we draw on in this paper is taken from a mixed methods project funded by the Icelandic Centre for Research (RannÍs). The aim of the project is to develop a baseline for understanding and describing the depth of EBV and IPV toward immigrant women in Iceland. In this paper, we present the initial findings from the survey of immigrant women in Iceland and interviews with key stakeholders providing education and services to immigrant women. An online baseline survey was deemed feasible given the relatively small population of immigrant women, which is placed at 17,445 (Statistics Iceland, 2018). Immigrants made up 11% of the total population of the island in 2018. A survey approach also poses the least risk for women in vulnerable situations. The surveys are available in the most commonly spoken languages in Iceland, including Icelandic, Polish (the largest immigrant population in Iceland), Filipina and Thai (the next largest groups). The survey was advertised through various online networks and made accessible for handheld devises as well as computers. Semi open-ended questions were used for the interviews with the stakeholders. This population includes organizations that provide services to women who have experienced violence, such as the police and women´s shelter staff as well as organizations that offer more general services for immigrant women such as W.O.M.E.N. and various labour unions. The initial literature review and stakeholder interviews were funded through an Equality Fund Grant, which allowed the research team to develop the questionnaires. Data were then triangulated to form a clear picture of what services and education were available to women experiencing both work place and intimate partner violence.

The initial results of the survey data allowed us to start to develop a picture of the type of services and educational provision that women were aware of and/or had accessed. The research allows us to describe and analyse hidden factors that reproduce and maintain values that legitimize use of power and control that lead to EBV and IPV. In this presentation we address current educational and service provisions as a step towards informing culturally appropriate responses based on research. Research provides a more formalized framework for women of foreign origin to continue to share their stories and have their voices heard, but with the intention that their experiences of sexual harassment in the private sphere and in the workplace will be addressed. The data collection informing this presentation introduces findings that can be used to give more weight to individual stories in terms of identifying discriminatory practices in existing systems and service provisions. We aim to use the analysis stakeholder interviews and initial survey data to inform the on-going project as well as the development of appropriate strategies, service, education and tools to address IPV and EBV in the immigrant community. In this sense, perhaps the biggest contributions of the project in terms of addressing gender equality will include increased awareness of the scope and depth of the experiences of sexual violence and harassment that immigrant women face; the differences in their experiences based on their diverse personal and professional status; informing culturally appropriate interventions, and perhaps most importantly, increased participation of immigrant women in challenging and changing a system that is currently unresponsive to their particular needs.

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