Unveiling the Life Journeys of Newly Arrived Immigrant Women in Porto

Abstract

With the rising number of women relocating to Portugal over recent years, this paper focuses on the lived experiences of newly arrived migrant women, employing an intersectional lens to examine their integration process. In this qualitative exploratory study, we conducted semi-structured interviews with 28 Central and South American women who migrated to the North of Portugal, analysing their perceptions about their migration and integration experience. Data were analysed using Braun and Clarke’s Thematic Analysis proposal. The findings reveal that these women faced numerous challenges during the integration process, including cultural adaptation difficulties, economic disadvantages, and bureaucratic hurdles. These issues are exacerbated by class, ethnicity, and administrative status, significantly affecting their access to essential services such as housing, employment, healthcare, and social support networks. Participants often navigate the expectations of their new community and those they left behind, illustrating the complex interplay of multiple identities. They often encounter various forms of social discrimination, but despite their increasing presence, they remain underrepresented in national and regional statistics and academic discourse, with their specific needs frequently overlooked in policies and practice.