Nepali female migrants: voluntary self-reflection groups on gender issues

We describe and analyze the data obtained from two 1 hour-long, free, anonymous and voluntary self-reflection group sessions on gender issues (5 questions), for 1st and 2nd generation Nepali female migrants living in Portugal. We followed a qualitative research design, with non-probabilistic sampling (snowball method). The first self-reflection group included 12 participants, while the second group included 10 participants, and the sessions were conducted by the researcher herself. Content and thematic analysis were done via NVIVO 11. Our results support the positive role of female migrant groups in promoting self-reflection and freedom of speech among their their participants, as well as agency. They also reveal a number of areas where these women feel that they need more support in the host country. Generally, the participants were very critical regarding gender norms and gender roles in Nepal, while contrasting them with european gender policies and practices.