Women’s agency and the building of social capital, cohesion and resilience in the new Afghan community in Geelong

Pure Application ID: The topic of the research: Women’s agency and the building of social capital, cohesion and resilience in the new Afghan community in GeelongAim of research: The focus of the study is on one of Victoria’s most recently established Muslim communities,the members of new Afghan community of Geelong. This study aims to develop a detailed understanding of women’s agency in the building of social capital, cohesion and resilience in the Afghan community of Geelong. The study is concerned with documenting and understanding what is working in terms of community development. Muslim communities such as the Afghan community are perceived as being at risk of polarisation, marginalisation, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder, and therefore it is important to begin research on this community while it is still young and the problems are not so entrenched. The study employs a qualitative approach to personal and community narrative, and ethnography, based around semi-guided interviews and focus groups. Drawing on insights garnered from the Geelong Afghan experience, the study aims to inform local, state and federal government policy making, community agencies and civil society on ways to support women in the building of community social capital and cohesion in similar communities of Muslim refugees, including new Syrian refugee communities.