A survey by refugee and migrant settlement agency AMES Australia has discovered migrant women have more opportunities and lead wealthier, healthier lives in Australia than in their former homelands.

The study commissioned to coincide with International Women’s Day found the majority of migrant women found life “better” in Australia.

Most respondents said they have more opportunities here than at home and are more financially independent. And overwhelmingly they say they have more control over their daily lives here in Australia and believe men and women should have equal access to opportunity.

While opportunities may abound the study painted a darker picture for migrant women too, with six in ten (62 per cent) saying that violence against women was an issue in their communities. More than half (57 per cent) said violence against women was more prevalent in their home countries while 31 per cent believed violence is more prevalent in Australia.

Fortunately, many of the women reported wider access to support services including access to women’s health, and child care, and greater independence was represented with the ability to driving cars and express greater political and religious beliefs.

Ninety per cent of the women surveyed said they had more rights in Australia than in their home country while 7 per cent said they did not. Seventy per cent of the survey respondents said there were more opportunities for women in Australia than at home while 20 per cent disagreed.

Sixty-three per cent said they were more financially independent in Australia while 20 per cent said they were less financially independent and 17 per cent said there was no difference.

The survey also asked about awareness of the #metoo movement and whether it had impacted the migrant women’s lives. Seventy-two per cent of respondents were aware of the movement and 61 per cent said it had affected their lives in a positive way.

AMES Australia CEO Cath Scarth said the survey showed that women migrants and refugees new to Australia optimistic about their new country and are striving to become part of the wider society.

“What the survey tells us is that women migrant and refugees who come to this country appreciate the level of equality we have and then opportunities that are available to women here,” Scarth said.

“It shows that most migrants value our services and institutions want to make the most of what this country offers them,” she said. “But it also tells us that violence against women is an issue in all communities and we still have work to do to eliminate it.”

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