Hosseini, Z., Pakpourhajiagha, A., & Olsson, T. (2026). Experiences of Finnish Public Services: Barriers to Cultural Inclusion for Iranian Migrant Women. Journal of Ethnic and Cultural Studies, 13(3), 229–251.
Abstract
This study aims to understand the challenges and obstacles Iranian migrant women face in their experiences with public services in Finland and how these challenges affect their cultural inclusion in Finnish society. The study draws on semi-structured face-to-face interviews with ten Iranian migrant women who have resided in Finland for 5 to 28 years, representing diverse backgrounds in terms of age, education, marital status, employment status, and migration pathways. The findings reveal multifaceted challenges that participants encounter in their sociocultural interactions, employment, and access to information in their engagement with public services in Finland, even after years of residence. In addition, the analysis highlights three cross-cutting barriers, language proficiency, limited social networks, and perceived or actual discrimination, that interconnect these challenges and significantly hinder migrants’ sense of belonging. By applying the Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) framework, this study offers new insights into the structural and interpersonal dynamics that shape cultural inclusion, providing actionable recommendations for policymakers, public service providers, and community organizations to promote equitable and sustainable integration.