Understanding Challenges Faced by Refugee Women and Women with Experiences of Forced Migration In Entrepreneurship in the Midwest Region of the United States

Authors

• Ritu Jadwani, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow

First Advisor

Jennifer Johnson Jorgensen

Committee Members

NaYoung Jung, Wayne Babchuk, Andrew Zimbroff

Date of this Version

5-2026

Document Type

Dissertation

Citation

A dissertation presented to the faculty of the Graduate College at the University of Nebraska in partial fulfillment of the Requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy

Major: Human Sciences (Textiles, Merchandising, and Fashion Design)

Under the supervision of Professor Jennifer Johnson Jorgensen

Lincoln, Nebraska, May 2026

Comments

Copyright 2026, Ritu Jadwani. Used by permission

Abstract

The labor market participation of refugee women was only 6%. The United States had the maximum employment rate for the refugee women population, which was 40%, as compared to 6% in Germany, Lebanon, and Jordan (Kabir & Klugman, 2019). Refugee women faced many challenges in labor force participation and especially in entrepreneurship. As demonstrated by Desai, Naude, and Stel (2020), refugees faced challenges like cultural integration, language barriers, level of education, and acceptance of education merits. This eventually led to disparities in income generation. Thus, many either remained in low-paying jobs or started their own business (Desai et al., 2020).

This qualitative study explored the challenges faced by refugee women and women with experiences of forced migration in entrepreneurship in the Midwest region of the United States. Twelve in-person interviews were conducted to get insights from the participants. The transcripts were coded using MAXQDA software to derive five themes. The qualitative findings indicated that participants started businesses inspired by their home culture or to fulfill a market gap or need they observed. They faced challenges like technology adaptation, time, and financial resources. A lack of fluent English skills, foreign language knowledge, awareness of rules and regulations, licenses, and paperwork were obstacles to business functioning. An absence of a community brought isolation and a lack of support systems. Participants overcame this by building a community through collaborations with other entrepreneurs, support from clients, and guidance from local non-profits. With resilience, faith, and hard work, refugee women and women with experiences of forced migration overcame challenges in entrepreneurship and scaled their ventures with an ethical mindset.

Advisor: Jennifer Johnson Jorgensen