Culture Clash: Shona (Zimbabwean) Migrant Women’s Experiences with Communicating about Sexual Health and Wellbeing across Cultures and Generations

This paper discusses the influence of cross-cultural modes of communication on perceptions of sexual health and wellbeing for Shona (Zimbabwean) women living in Australia and their children. Data was collected using focus groups in South  Australia with fourteen women, between the ages of 29 and 53. Transcripts were  analysed thematically. The women primarily constructed sexual health and  wellbeing  in customary Shona ways, which not only maintain secrecy about sexual health and wellbeing discourse, but also prohibit parents from talking to children about sexual health as such talk is reserved for particular kin and non-kin  relationships. These constructions however became more fluid the longer the women resided in Australia. For these women the notions of sexual health and wellbeing are a negotiation between Australian constructs and those from Shona culture,  especially when applied to their children. This research highlights the potential influence of various cultural world views on sexual health communication among African migrant women and their children and questions the appropriateness of sexual health and wellbeing campaigns and their responsiveness for cross-cultural youth. Keywords: Africa, cross-cultural, Australia, intergenerational, sexual health, intercultural communicatio

Race matters: (Re)thinking the significance of race and racial inequalities in community development practice in Australia

In Australia, discussions of race, racism and racial inequalities remain contentious debates. The dominant discourses around these issues focus on and often seek to silence racism or diminish its occurrence in the society, in other words: deflections and denial of racism dominate. Such denials and deflections belie the lived experiences of racism among racial(ised) minorities. Perhaps not surprisingly therefore, within such a context, there is a paucity of research on how community development practice engages with issues of race, racialisation, racism and racial inequalities. Little is known about how community development practitioners work with/in racially diverse communities or the extent to which Australian community development practice employs a ‘race lense’ in its practice. The discussions in this paper therefore emanate from an understanding that ‘colour (race)-blind’ practice still dominates community development work in Australia. The main contention is that unexamined colour-blind practice has the potential to reproduce systemic racism or systems of racial inequalities. The question informing this paper therefore, is: what is the significance of race in community development practice in Australia? To address this question, the paper centres “the experienced reality of lived racism” (Essed, 1991, p. vii) by black African migrants in Australia - which highlight the pervasiveness of racism in their everyday lives - to argue the need for conversations and considerations about race and inclusion within the field of community development. In the end, the discussions in this paper will raise important questions about the significance of race in community development practice in Australia and the consequences of race-blind practice and colour-mutism when working with/in ethnic and racially diverse communities. Perhaps more importantly, the paper contributes to ‘courageous conversations’ about how community development practitioners can work effectively across ethnic and racial boundaries without (re)producing systemic structures of racial inequalities

Sticks and stones: How words and language impact upon social inclusion

Language framed as derogatory names and symbols can have implications for people and their life experiences. Within a Saussurian-inspired frame, and looking at ideas of stigma and social inclusion, this paper examines the use of language as a weapon within a social context of (changing) intent and meaning. Three examples of language use in mainstream society are analysed: \u27retarded\u27 which evolved from scientific diagnosis to insult; \u27gay\u27 as a derogatory adjective within popular culture; and, the way language around suicide is used to both trivialise and stigmatise those who are suicidal, as well as those who are bereaved

The role of culture and religion on sexual and reproductive health indicators and help-seeking attitudes amongst 1.5 generation migrants in Australia : a quantitative pilot study

In Australia, 1.5 generation migrants (those who migrated as children) often enter a new cultural and religious environment, with its own set of constructs of sexual and reproductive health (SRH), at a crucial time in their psychosexual development—puberty/adolescence. Therefore, 1.5 generation migrants may thus have to contend with constructions of SRH from at least two cultures which may be at conflict on the matter. This study was designed to investigate the role of culture and religion on sexual and reproductive health indicators and help-seeking amongst 1.5 generation migrants. An online survey was completed by 111 participants who answered questions about their cultural connectedness, religion, sexual and reproductive health and help-seeking. Kruskall-Wallis tests were used to analyse the data. There was no significant difference between ethnocultural groups or levels of cultural connectedness in relation to sexual and reproductive health help-seeking attitudes. The results do suggest differences between religious groups in regard to seeking help specifically from participants’ parents. Notably, participants who reported having ‘no religion’ were more likely to seek help with sexual and reproductive health matters from their parent(s). Managing cross-cultural experiences is often noted in the extant literature as a barrier to sexual and reproductive health help-seeking. However, while cultural norms of migrants’ country of origin can remain strong, it is religion that seems to have more of an impact on how 1.5 generation migrants seek help for SRH issues. The findings suggest that 1.5 generation migrants may not need to adapt their religious beliefs or practices, despite entering a new ethnocultural environment. Given that religion can play a role in the participants’ sexual and reproductive health, religious organizations are well-placed to encourage young migrants to adopt help-seeking attitudes

Sticks and stones: How words and language impact upon social inclusion

Language framed as derogatory names and symbols can have implications for people and their life experiences. Within a Saussurian-inspired frame, and looking at ideas of stigma and social inclusion, this paper examines the use of language as a weapon within a social context of (changing) intent and meaning. Three examples of language use in mainstream society are analysed: \u27retarded\u27 which evolved from scientific diagnosis to insult; \u27gay\u27 as a derogatory adjective within popular culture; and, the way language around suicide is used to both trivialise and stigmatise those who are suicidal, as well as those who are bereaved

Migrant and refugee youth’s sexual and reproductive health and rights : a scoping review to inform policies and programs

Objectives: Migrants and refugee youth (MRY) in Western nations are less likely to participate in sexual reproductive health (SRH) services. Consequently, MRY are more likely to encounter adverse SRH experiences due to limited access to and knowledge of SRH services. A scoping review was conducted to examine MRY’s understanding of and the implications for inclusive sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) programs and policies. Methods: A systematic search of literature across seven academic databases was conducted. Data were extracted following Partners for Dignity and Rights’ Human Rights Assessment framework and analysed using the thematic-synthesis method. Results: 38 literature (peer-reviewed, 24 and grey, 14) were considered eligible for inclusion. The findings highlighted significant barriers and the under-implementation of SRHR support and services by MRY. Key policy implications include a need for programs to support MRY’s SRHR education, diversity, equity and inclusiveness and privacy protections. Conclusion: The review shows that the emerging evidence on MRY SRHR suggests gaps in practices for resourcing policies and programs that promote sustainable SRH for vulnerable populations. Policies for MRY’s SRHR should prioritise programs that focus on diversity, equity and inclusion with targeted education and community resourcing strategies for sustainability

Resilience in the Face of Adversity: Narratives from Ageing Indigenous Women in Australia

There is an increasing body of work identifying and analyzing notions of resilience from indigenous perspectives. Notwithstanding the utility of this research for the Australian context (some parallels may be cautiously inferred for some Indigenous Australian groups), critical knowledge gaps exist in our understanding of how Australian Indigenous peoples, particularly Indigenous women, construct, perform and express resilience. This paper addresses this gap by presenting data from focus group discussions with 11 Indigenous Australian women, which highlights how the women confront the everyday challenges of ‘being Indigenous’. The women spoke of not only of a strong sense of identity in the face of negative stereotypes but also demonstrated their ability to adapt to change, rebound from negative historical socio-cultural and political systemic changes and ways to keep their identities and cultures strong within contemporary Australia. We contend that a focus on Indigenous resilience is more significant for social change because it not only moves away from deficit-discourses about Indigenous Australian groups, it highlights their remarkable strengths in adapting, recovering and continuing in white-centric, antagonistic conditions

Redefining Constructions of Sexuality and Sexual Wellbeing across Generations: Lessons from Ageing Aboriginal Women

This study explored how Indigenous women living in Australia understand, experience and construct sexuality within contexts dominated by revealed the impact of Eurocentric conceptualisations of gender, embodiment and intimacy. This project was informed by feminist methodology and collected data using semi-structured focus groups, which naturally took on the yarning method. The discussions, held on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland, were had with women aged 42 to 73 years, across three focus groups. The women primarily constructed sexuality within Australia’s history of colonisation, discrimination and prejudice against Indigenous people, the uptake of European values and their impact on Indigenous people over time and across generations. Self-esteem was a central feature across all major themes and described as integral to health constructions of sexuality and health relationships. Changes over time were characterised by the women’s commitment to instilling self-esteem in following generations as well as limitations to self-esteem resulting from discrimination. Socialising future generations to display and embrace intimacy was also central to a healthy construction of sexuality. The findings from this study reinforce that learning from Indigenous women about sexuality and ageing is key to enriching the evidence-base as well as health worker and researcher capacity while reinforcing the importance of self-care among Indigenous older women. Integrating such an approach with Indigenous women has the potential to increase the effectiveness and relevance of health promotion and wellbeing programmes aimed at older Indigenous women in the present and future

Medicine in context : ten years' experience in diversity education for medical students in Greater Western Sydney, Australia

Objective: This paper describes the Western Sydney University School of Medicine (WSUSoM) diversity education program, Medicine in Context (MiC). MiC implements community-engaged learning and partnership pedagogy in teaching diverse social determinants of health to first clinical year medical students. Central to MiC content and delivery methods is the local region’s diversity which is also reflected in the student population and MiC staff. Methodology: This is a descriptive report about how the WSUSoM staff with community and General Practice (GP) partners have co-designed, co-delivered, co-assessed and co-evaluated the MiC program in 2009-2018. In keeping with the community-engaged learning and partnership pedagogy, the report is co-authored by a cross section of MiC stakeholders: the WSUSoM staff members, community partners and an alumna. Results: Ten weeks' immersion in community-based services, with debriefing and scaffolding in tutorials and workshops, exposes students to the complex interplay between social determinants of health and clinical practice. Sharing of experiences, insights and reflections in safe environments enables students to overcome the uneasiness of diversity education. Quality assurance reviews identified positive trends in students’ quality of learning and satisfaction in the program following evidence-based continuous improvements of the program design and delivery. Conclusion: Implementation of community-engaged learning and partnership pedagogy in the MiC program, supported by ongoing commitment from the WSUSoM and its community and GP partners, has been successful in engaging students in diversity education. The synthesis of diversity education and clinical learning throughout the MiC program is an important step toward building competency in patient-centred care

Weaving Paid Work, Informal Sector Work and Motherhood in Harare (Zimbabwe): A New Arena For Research?

The aim of this article is to expound understandings of the work/life experiences of women in a non-western, non-white, Zimbabwean context. Although women's increased workforce participation while still being predominantly responsible for domestic and caring roles is a global phenomenon, significant research into women's work/family linkages has been undertaken mostly in western societies, oftentimes with white (middleclass) workers. As a result, little is known about how mothers in 'failing' African economies such as Zimbabwe experience and make individual paid work and family choices and negotiations in the face of constraining socio-economic and cultural circumstances. This article addresses this gap in research. Drawing on the experiences of a small sub-sample of six women interviewed in Harare as part of a larger project, this article illustrates that the difficult socio-economic situation in a failing economy in Zimbabwe introduces new challenges for working mothers that impact on their work/life realities. Specifically, it reports on and analyses the experiences of women who engage in what I have termed "multiple economic activities for subsistence" (MEAS): women whose economic work straddles both the formal and informal sectors. I have also called the women's non-salaried income generating, informal sector activities the "third shift", because it is an addition to their salaried or waged formal sector employment (first shift) and motherwork (second shift)