Community-based Organizations and Maternal Healthcare: Refugee Women’s Experiences in Kristiansand, Norway

Abstract

Refugee women represent one of the most vulnerable populations globally, facing significant health challenges due to gender-based violence, systemic inequities, and the cascading effects of global conflicts. Maternal healthcare emerges as a critical concern, with displacement often exacerbates the risks of pregnancy complications, premature births, and stillbirths. This study narrows its focus from macro-level analyses to a community-centered investigation of maternal healthcare experiences of refugee women in Kristiansand, a city in Southern Norway. It investigates not only their individual experiences but also the role of community-based organizations (CBOs) in shaping their maternal healthcare. Through a focused ethnographic approach, the study identifies two key findings. First, refugee women’s perceptions of maternal healthcare are shaped by a complex interplay of factors: cultural beliefs and practices from their countries of origin, the support of community networks, and their engagement with the Norwegian healthcare system. Second, CBOs play a critical role in enhancing the social capital of refugee women by providing culturally tailored support that complements formal healthcare services. Informed by these, I argue that the effectiveness of their experiences within the Norwegian maternal healthcare system hinges on an institutional collaboration that brings together policy, healthcare services, and the supportive role of CBOs. This synergy not only contributes to their maternal health outcomes but also facilitates their social integration into the Norwegian society.