A helping hand for immigrant women.

In recent years, Sweden has experienced growing gaps within society due to a new economic order. Increased segregation is found between different groups. The negative effects of the globalization in the Western world directly affect the immigrants.

The area of West Sweden is enhancing a rich pattern of different Non-Government Organizations (NGO), many of them founded in the interest of the diverse immigrant groups. This has brought forward an opportunity for women to organize themselves to achieve structural changes.

Horizont is a network formed by women for women connecting NGOs from all of West Sweden. It was founded as a forum for women to share fellowship and sometimes bring out problems that are affecting women into a broader context. The network Horizont was an offspring of the on-going integration work within Gothenburg, the second largest city in Sweden and center of the West coast. One of the problems that was acknowledged within the network of Horizont, is the violence against women. In this area the immigrant women are hit the hardest, because of the Swedish legislation.

Some Swedish men pick foreign women for marriage, but after a short stay in her new home country the man begins to restrict her. She is not allowed to go outside the house and is forbidden to meet her friends. Maybe the husband begins to abuse his wife verbally and soon he will start to abuse her physically. The problem for this woman is that through Swedish legislation, she will be thrown out of the country if she has not stayed within the marriage for two years. Many of the afflicted women do not even speak Swedish, because the husband wants to be in total control and has forbidden her to study.

These women find themselves in a horrible trap. If they leave their husband before two years has passed, they cannot stay in the country. But if they stay with the man, they are exposed to domestic violence. And even if they leave the husband and are sent back to their own country it will often mean trouble at various levels.

For many of them it is not possible at all to return.

The network of Horizont wanted to address the issue in two ways;

1. Provide a help-line for the afflicted women, where they can find somebody with their mother tongue to talk with.

2. Put the pressure on the politicians to change the legislation and protect the women.

Terrafem is a nationwide help-line established to help women of different origin than Swedish who are abused. The woman is connected to the help-line by dialing a free telephone-number that is the same all over the country. There are always at least two languages available. But there is also a schedule within the help-line, to let the woman know when a certain language help-line could be provided.

The help-line is aimed at women exposed to or abused by violence physically, mentally, sexually and/or emotionally. This project is also linked with the Women Shelters in the three main cities: Stockholm, Gothenburg and Maimo. When it is required, Terrafem can help women get in contact with these institutions for further help. Every woman who is answering the help-line receives appropriate training and monitoring. Today the help-line Terrafem cover s approximately 25 different languages.

Sweden has put a lot of prestige in the European Union Presidency during the first half year of 2001. One of the issues brought up in that forum is violence against women, and especially the trafficking Issue. The Government has now focused the problem of legislation, and the two-year rule is being looked into for adjustments.

These are just two current examples of the outcome and strength of women uniting in network to enhance a change.