EUKN - European Urban Knowledge Network - Dialogue on the key to women’s participation

Dialogue on the key to women’s participation - Arnhem

Introduction

To encourage women to take more part in society, the City of Arnhem organises dialogue meetings.

Problem

How can a thought process be initiated amongst immigrant women to overcome cultural, social and religious barriers, such that they better participate in Arnhem society?

Description

During these meetings, taboos that hinder the development of women are discussed. Furthermore, discussions are held about the social participation of immigrant women in general and about what view of society dominates among immigrant women.

Approach

During the meetings, a dialogue format was selected. On the one hand, this provides insight into the ideas and beliefs of others. On the other, a dialogue also clarifies one’s own points of view and motives. During the meetings, the wishes and needs of immigrant women are the central issue. An important discussion point that regularly comes up is breaking through the social isolation of immigrant women who hardly participate in society. The role that the local authorities can fulfil is also discussed. The meetings are conducted by discussion leaders from FORUM’s emancipation pool.

The dialogue meetings focus on both successful immigrant women and immigrant women who are in a more vulnerable position. The successful participants are role models for the others.

Themes discussed are:

cultural barriers and male/female relationships;
domestic violence;
Shared interests of natives and immigrants in the area of safety and norms for interaction.

The meetings are evaluated with reference to the intended results above. The evaluation takes place by means of evaluation forms and in consultation with the emancipation pool.

Results

In 2005 and 2006, ten meetings were organised.
The first meetings were attended by a large group of immigrant and native women.

Intended results

Women are made more conscious of their situation through the dialogue, advancement of their independence and by bringing about a breakthrough with respect to their isolation.
Encouraging immigrant women to become more active in Arnhem society, for example, through their participation in volunteer work and administrative bodies.
Allowing immigrant women to provide more input with respect to policy for welfare institutions.
That women are better informed about training possibilities.
Publishing a book for the City of Arnhem with experiences from the meetings.
That this process provides insight into problems among immigrant women, to which future policy will be attuned.

Contact info

Municipality of Arnhem
Mr. N. Ozdemir, tel. +31 26 3773378

Project start date

01/05/2005

Links

Municipality of Arnhem Forum, institute for multicultural development

Document type

case

Themes

Urban Policy > Social inclusion & integration > Community development

Keywords

Citizens' participation