Intersectional Vulnerabilities of Young Women Refugees in Western Ethiopia: A Transnational Feminist Analysis

This study examines the intersectional experiences of young women refugees aged 16 to 18 residing in Sherkole Camp, Western Ethiopia, focusing on how gender, economic marginalisation, and displacement collectively shape their lived realities. Drawing on six semi-structured interviews with young women refugees and six with social workers, the research is guided by transnational feminist theory, which enables a critical analysis of the interplay between gender, economic marginalisation, displacement status, and global power structures in shaping these young women’s experiences. The findings of this study reveal multiple layers of systemic vulnerability, including economic exploitation, limited decision-making power, and gender-based violence. The study also highlights how intersecting factors create unique vulnerabilities by constructing three themes: gender-based vulnerabilities and exploitation; livelihood insecurity and gender-based constraints; and institutional barriers, resilience, and resistance. These findings contribute to the field of refugee studies by emphasising the importance of intersectional approaches in understanding displacement. This study can inform policy and practice as it advocates for targeted context-specific interventions that address structural barriers, strengthen protection mechanisms, and promote sustainable economic solutions tailored to the distinct challenges faced by young women refugees.