Key findings

• Political participation of immigrant women is low
• Various barriers, such as language and cultural barriers, income stability, and immigration status (i.e. not being eligible to vote) may hinder immigrant women’s ability or desire to participate in political activities, with lack of time being the most common barrier.
• Participants immigrated from nations with corruption or no democracy in their politics were associated with little to no participation or interest in politics.
• White immigrant women who are from English-speaking countries were more involved in politics than immigrant women of colour,
• Not being approached to participate/no provision of information and rights in activities may also be a cause for lack of participation
• Many participants did not know that they could contact politicians, or take part in protests without being a Canadian citizen
• Voting and petitions were the most common political activities performed by immigrant women overall
• Participants with a longer time spent in Canada tended to participate in more political activities

Key recommendations

Increased education and workshops for immigrant women surrounding Canadian politics, the scope of ability for political participations within PRs and Canadian Citizens/potential alternatives to voting

Organize workshops through international students’ centres at universities for international students.

Key populations

Immigrant women

Integration timeline

At least 3 years after arrival

Gaps identified

There is no research on the impact of immigration status on participation in politics

Potential further research to determine reasons why immigrant women vote in elections, and barriers to this access

Examine if immigration status has an impact on men’s participation in politics as well

Potential interview with individuals whose first language is not English

Community organizations

None

Location

• Lethbridge
• Alberta

Open-access-No