Refugee Women’s Intersecting Social Locations: A Contemporary Perspective on the Process of Becoming a Refugee Woman

Abstract This article explores the convergence of narrative criminology and refugee women’s experiences, framing the intricate process of becoming a refugee woman as “Refugee women’s intersecting social locations”. Building on previous research addressing violence (Borges, in J Int Migr Integr 25:673–693. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12134-023-01102-z , 2023) and agency (Borges, in Comp Migr Stud, 2024), this study incorporates insights from 24 interviews with Middle Eastern and African refugee women living in Portugal, their host country. It challenges the dichotomy of violence and agency, emphasizing their interconnected nature in shaping a better life. Aligned with (Pemberton & Aarten, Studies in Conflict & Terrorism 41:541–556, 2018) narrative constructs, the discussion underscores the centrality of narrative to identity, its role in emotions, and its importance in connecting individual lives to broader cultural contexts. This narrative-centric approach contributes valuable insights to migration studies, informing gender-based policies and practices for enhanced support and offering a model for future research in the field.