Seminar Gender Migration and Health

The aim of this course is to explore gender inequalities in health among international migrant and refugee population. The course will provide an overview of the health issues for international migrants and illustrate how gender influences health status of migrants and refugees.   In addition to discussing some of the main migration, gender and health theories, this course will further explore the interaction between economic, political, social, personal, and cultural factors in influencing health status of migrants and refugees with a special focus on women. While the migration process most certainly impacts the health status of both men and women, however the effect is often more profound for women. Women, in particular, refugees or those seeking asylum are often more vulnerable to violence, sexual abuse which places them at a higher risk for developing reproductive health diseases, stress, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder. Further, the status of women in the family, emphasis on traditional gender roles, loss of social support and network may prevent them from seeking health care in the host country, thereby resulting in poor physical and mental health. This course will offer the opportunity to discuss these topics in more detail.   At the end of this course, students will develop an understanding of some of the key health issues of international migrants and refugees using a gender perspective.   For this course all students are expected to actively participate in class discussions, make short class presentations and read English language course material and texts. FB 05 Gesellschaftswissenschaften Uni Kassel SoSe 2016 Soziologie Dr. Mishra Shweta