This evidence summary, authored by Switchboard, summarizes the state of available evidence regarding strategies to improve the employment rates of refugee women in employment programs.
Limited but growing evidence shows positive impacts of national policies on the employment rates of refugees.
Canada’s Educational Credential Assessment requirement for economic migrants and private sponsorship programs has shown positive impacts on employment rates, the latter especially for women with lower educational levels.
Denmark’s 2016 work-first policy for refugees had a significant positive impact on men’s employment rates one year after arrival, but the impact on women appeared to be limited and potentially negative.
Systematic reviews identified no robust studies for refugees specifically and limited evidence for low-income populations.
A 2015 comprehensive systematic review of the effects of interventions on refugees’ labor force participation rate, employment rate, use of cash assistance, income, job retention, and quality of life identified no studies for inclusion due to methodological weaknesses. Consequently, the review, which included programs serving both women and men, did not find any evidence for or against any intervention.
Several interventions have been found to be effective at improving labor market outcomes of low-income adults in general. The strategies that appear most effective are financial incentives and sanctions, education, work experience, and training. Interventions that combine several strategies to help low-income workers find and keep jobs appear more effective than any single strategy.
Largely suggestive evidence provides some guidance on what could work for refugee women entering the labor market.
Extended case management is associated with higher household incomes and job satisfaction, in addition to significantly higher employment rates at six months and one year post-resettlement. However, benefits for women are not as clear as those for men.
Supporting women in developing skills and meeting educational attainment goals can lead to higher employment rates.
Opening opportunities for women to engage in the workforce in non-traditional ways, such as through entrepreneurship or gig work, could help overcome potential barriers surrounding traditional workplaces.
