Surviving Gender-Based Violence: A Social Ecological Approach to Migrant and Refugee Women's Resilience

Many migrant and refugee women (MRW) experience different forms of gender -based violence (GBV) along the migratory pathway. GBV is rooted in intersecting structures of domination and extends beyond individual experiences to include the failure of policies and practices to protect women. In this article, through the lenses of "key informants" (KIs), we explore how MRW express resilience to GBV in the face of intersecting structural inequalities through resisting, adapting individual behaviours, navigating to resources and transforming relationships and self. Furthermore, drawing upon social ecological approaches to resilience, we examine the factors and processes of building resilience to GBV by MRW at the individual, relational, community and societal levels in Canada. Our research findings are based on thematic analysis of 43 qualitative interviews with KIs who are counsellors, shelter staff and directors, government staff, and settlement workers who provide services to MRW. Our empirical findings contribute to the research literature by identifying and fleshing out the particular expressions, complexities, supporting factors and processes of resilience to GBV by MRW in Canada.