Blossoming Beyond Borders: Exploring Sense of Belonging among Ukrainian and Syrian Refugee Women in Canada

The concept of “belonging” has gained significant attention in policy debates concerning identity, migration, integration, and social cohesion, as it is closely tied to refugee wellbeing and the ability to feel comfortable and at ease in a specific location. This study investigates how Ukrainian and Syrian refugee women in Canada perceive their process of developing a sense of belonging by considering their everyday living practices. The research employs a qualitative approach with an intersectional lens, relying on in-depth interviews conducted with nine Syrian and six Ukrainian refugee women. The notion of belonging is explored from both an individual and collective perspective. Four themes emerged: 1. surviving and thriving; 2. building self-sufficiency; 3. negotiating belonging and identity in a cross-cultural context; and 4. blooming with possibilities in a new home. The study suggests that the transformational impact of migration and displacement directly influences refugee women’s resilience, the development of a sense of belonging, and their everyday practices. Ultimately, the attainment of a comprehensive sense of belonging is multifaceted. It is contingent upon structural factors like stable income, financial security, and secure living conditions, but women’s agency in developing resources, fostering connection, creating beauty, among other factors, is crucially important to belonging.