We are all made up of a multitude of identities and life experiences that shape who we are and the trajectory of our lives, sometimes for the better when our identities give us unearned privilege, other times, we’re disadvantaged because our identities are viewed as less than. At Nisa Homes, we see first-hand the impact of how the intersection of identities such as being Muslim, immigrant women, cause undue hardship and systemic barriers that make overcoming domestic violence, homelessness and poverty an uphill battle.
What is intersectionality?
As defined by the Oxford Dictionary, it is the interconnected nature of social categorizations such as race, class, and gender, regarded as creating overlapping and interdependent systems of discrimination or disadvantage.
There are two ways we see an intersectionality with women at Nisa Homes:
1.) Their intersecting identities often result in systemic barriers and discrimination / Their intersecting identities makes an already difficult situation even more challenging to overcome
Most of the clients that come to Nisa Homes are women, immigrants, racialized, Muslim, often unemployed, experiencing poverty or don’t speak English.
One might ask, so what? There are so many services and systems in place to help the less fortunate. How do these identities create barriers for women seeking help?
While there may be many services available to help with each aspect individually, very few services provide a holistic approach that considers all the facets of their identity and the oppressions they face as a result. For example, while more mental health services are becoming affordable and accessible, many are not culturally responsive and as a result clients like those who come to Nisa Homes might be able to access counselling but face Islamophobia by being questioned for their choices and beliefs. Or programs that are set up to help clients with employment often don’t recognize the unique challenge clients with Muslim names face in not being hired, simply because of their Muslim name.
Another example is how there are laws to allow women who are sponsored by their partner to leave abusive situations; however, this information is not readily available to newcomer women because they might not know where to find this information, or where to go for help, they might not even be able to read or understand the information if it’s not available in other languages, and finally, they likely can’t afford or access a lawyer to help them through the process.
2.) They are dealing with multiple issues all at once.
When we say that majority of the women who come to Nisa Homes are escaping domestic violence (60%), we fail to capture just how many additional challenges these women are facing at the same time. Unfortunately, they are often not only fleeing domestic violence, but also experiencing poverty, mental health challenges, homelessness, Islamophobia as well as legal and immigration issues.
While providing them with shelter may get them away from their abusers, the only way they can become independent and self-sufficient is by working with them to address each and every obstacle they face.
So, how is Nisa Homes different in working with women with an intersection of challenges and identities?
It’s terrifying to reach out for help but not receive it – especially when juggling multiple problems at the same time, some even life-threatening. As such, services cannot be a “one size fits all” model without considering systemic oppressions and marginalization that forces clients into a perpetual cycle of poverty and marginalization. This is why Nisa Homes not only focuses on meeting our clients where they are at but also works to bring about systemic change through awareness and advocacy to create government and organizational policies that are equitable, culturally responsive and anti-oppressive.
We continue to work hard to make sure that, in a world set up to leave behind those who don’t fit the norm, women looking to become independent get the assistance they need to flourish!
Muslim women across the country face hardships like this on a daily basis. Our goal at Nisa Homes is to be of service to those with nowhere else to go. Sheltering those in need is a just a small part of what we do. Our hope is that every woman that crosses the threshold of our homes has the same opportunity to flourish. With your support, we can make this hope a reality.
Donate today and become the foundation for their success!
