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Sustainable Livelihoods in the Transit Country? A Case Study of the Economic Survival Strategies of Somali Women Refugees in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Syam, Erwin LU (2025) MIDM19 20251
Department of Human Geography
LUMID International Master programme in applied International Development and Management
Abstract
This research examines the economic survival strategies of Somali women refugees, the factors that shaped those strategies, and critical constraints that hinder them from achieving sustainable livelihoods in Malaysia. Employing the Sustainable Livelihood Framework (SLF) and thematic analysis of semi-structured interviews with Somali women and key informants from grassroots organizations, the result indicates that Somali women refugees mostly rely upon informal survival strategies, like tailoring, cleaning, engaging with small-scale businesses, building social networks, and sharing resources. However, several critical constraints impede them in achieving sustainable livelihoods, such as systemic exclusion of legal protection, discrimination... (More)
This research examines the economic survival strategies of Somali women refugees, the factors that shaped those strategies, and critical constraints that hinder them from achieving sustainable livelihoods in Malaysia. Employing the Sustainable Livelihood Framework (SLF) and thematic analysis of semi-structured interviews with Somali women and key informants from grassroots organizations, the result indicates that Somali women refugees mostly rely upon informal survival strategies, like tailoring, cleaning, engaging with small-scale businesses, building social networks, and sharing resources. However, several critical constraints impede them in achieving sustainable livelihoods, such as systemic exclusion of legal protection, discrimination in the job market, gender-based vulnerabilities, and cultural and language barriers. These challenges prolong a cycle of poverty, placing them into marginalization, and exposing Somali women refugees to exploitation and gender-based violence. The study calls for a radical change of policy to recognize refugees' legal status, ensuring access to the means of sustainable livelihoods, and guaranteeing refugee women's rights. Eventually, dealing with these systemic barriers is pivotal for transforming Somali women refugees from survival strategies to empowerment and sustainable development. (Less)
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author
Syam, Erwin LU
supervisor
organization
course
MIDM19 20251
year
type
H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
subject
keywords
Somali women refugee, economic survival strategies, sustainable livelihood framework, informal survival strategies, agency, legal status, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
language
English
id
9194633
date added to LUP
2025-06-11 13:22:15
date last changed
2025-06-11 13:22:15
@misc{9194633,
  abstract     = {{This research examines the economic survival strategies of Somali women refugees, the factors that shaped those strategies, and critical constraints that hinder them from achieving sustainable livelihoods in Malaysia. Employing the Sustainable Livelihood Framework (SLF) and thematic analysis of semi-structured interviews with Somali women and key informants from grassroots organizations, the result indicates that Somali women refugees mostly rely upon informal survival strategies, like tailoring, cleaning, engaging with small-scale businesses, building social networks, and sharing resources. However, several critical constraints impede them in achieving sustainable livelihoods, such as systemic exclusion of legal protection, discrimination in the job market, gender-based vulnerabilities, and cultural and language barriers. These challenges prolong a cycle of poverty, placing them into marginalization, and exposing Somali women refugees to exploitation and gender-based violence. The study calls for a radical change of policy to recognize refugees' legal status, ensuring access to the means of sustainable livelihoods, and guaranteeing refugee women's rights. Eventually, dealing with these systemic barriers is pivotal for transforming Somali women refugees from survival strategies to empowerment and sustainable development.}},
  author       = {{Syam, Erwin}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{Sustainable Livelihoods in the Transit Country? A Case Study of the Economic Survival Strategies of Somali Women Refugees in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia}},
  year         = {{2025}},
}