Research Highlights the Skills, Aspirations and Contributions of Migrant Women in Shepparton
New research from Melbourne Social Equity Institute highlights the wealth of skills, qualifications and experience that migrant and refugee women bring to the Shepparton region and identifies practical ways local organisations, services and employers can better support women to use their capabilities and achieve their aspirations, for the benefit of the whole community.
Shepparton in Victoria’s Goulburn Valley is a culturally diverse regional city, with 17.4% of the population of Greater Shepparton born overseas and 17.6% speaking a language other than English at home (ABS 2021).
The 'My Heart Is Always For The Community': Migrant Women's Skills, Qualifications, and Aspirations In and For the Shepparton Region report, launched today at a community event in Shepparton, was shaped from the outset by conversations with migrant and refugee community members, community leaders and local organisations about local research priorities. An Advisory Committee of local stakeholders, community leaders and researchers, including women from migrant and refugee backgrounds, provided guidance throughout the project.
I am] struggling to find a stage where I can teach and pass on the skills . . . our dance, teach our language . . . to preserve that. But I can't do it because I need funding to run it, to find a space... I'm sitting here with the skills, but I don't have the funds . . . I did a diploma [and then]. . .various certificates [and] so many small courses to upgrade [my] skills . . . what's in my heart [is], helping people make lives better. . . being able to be a door opener for people . . .part of it as well is building the bridge for the next generation.
A key strength of the project was the central role played by three Community Researchers from Pasifika (Tongan), Afghan and Arabic speaking (Syrian) communities in Shepparton. Kalina Mali Muli, Muzhgan Qazikhil and Shaza Alsmail are migrant women living locally who are trusted community interpreters and connectors. They were involved throughout the research process, including recruiting participants, communicating with community members, conducting interviews, transcribing and interpreting findings.
The research combined interviews with 56 migrant women and community stakeholders with a survey completed by 213 migrant women. Participants included people from Tonga, Samoa, Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, and countries in East and North Africa, South and Southeast Asia, and Europe.
The findings reveal a strong desire among migrant and refugee women to build connections, contribute to the Shepparton community and create better opportunities for future generations. Work and study were often understood not simply as ways to earn income, but as part of living a meaningful life, supporting family and giving back to the community.
A problem I've seen is the expectation that the women will provide services or support or whatever, but not get paid for it, which is a real trap. And it's the same with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community that people expect a lot from them, but it's not that paid support . . .I just think that's not sustainable and you just can't use the women up like that. They're very skilled at what they do. Their knowledge and skills should be valued more than that.
Recommendations for Change
The report makes a series of recommendations, with a clear emphasis on developing solutions in partnership with migrant women.
Key recommendations include:
Improving social connection and access to services
- Providing clearer, more accessible information about available services, including pictorial and map-based signage in places such as Centrelink, language centres, healthcare settings and schools.
- Building on local initiatives that participants identified as working well, including Community Hubs, learner-driver support, family programs and intercultural events.
- Supporting migrant women to lead the development of welcoming community spaces where migrant and non-migrant communities can connect.
- Creating accessible youth-specific spaces and programs for young migrant women, linked to education, training, employment and career support.
Expanding English language and education opportunities
- Offering a wider range of English programs, with greater flexibility in class times and structures.
- Providing different forms of English-language support, from practical English for navigating services and finding employment through to higher-level English for women seeking professional work.
- Developing internship-based study and training pathways that connect English-language programs with employment opportunities.
Strengthening social inclusion
- Investing in sustained anti-racism education, awareness-raising and upstander training across the Shepparton community.
- Ensuring this work recognises First Nations as well as migrant leadership and expertise, without placing responsibility for addressing racism on communities experiencing it.
- Improving cultural awareness among employers, educators, careers advisers and service providers.
Recognising skills, qualifications and experience
- Creating more accessible pathways for recognising qualifications and experience gained overseas.
- Developing mechanisms, such as certificates, that help local employers recognise skills including interpreting and translation, leadership, volunteering, event management, catering, mentoring and advocacy.
- Supporting existing migrant women's networks and community initiatives.
- Recognising, compensating and, where appropriate, formalising work that women are already doing, including interpreting and translation, program and event delivery, peer support, mentoring and advocacy.
The report concludes that many of the contributions migrant women make to Shepparton are currently unpaid, unrecognised or uncompensated. Better recognition of these skills and contributions, alongside appropriate resources, support and skills development, could benefit women, their families and the wider region.
Research Team
Meg Lee, Kalina Mali Muli, Muzhgan Qazikhil, Shaza Alsmail, Portia Mareke, Charlene Edwards and Karen Block
Funding
This research was supported by Melbourne Social Equity Institute, with additional funding from the University of Melbourne’s Civic and Community Impact Fund Grant.