Concerns (7)

The MUKI women-only concept also led to some concerns. The women said that male-female segregation was not common in Germany and felt that it might help them interact with men in a mixed environment. A refugee woman pointed out: *For me, the most important is the German class. Therefore, for me, it does not matter if men are around who want to learn the language as well because, without language, you don't have a future. It would be mixed, as in school or university, that's why I would not mind if men were present\** (2305DD/51). Some women also felt that a similar program for men would benefit male refugees to experience community and support. On statement was: *Men should have the same like this, only for men. And they must have been told, for instance, that their wives have to have contact with men while going to school, studying something. They have to understand that in Germany it is different. Yes, it is so important that men understand this*\* (2303BB/27).

#### *3.3. Results of the Qualitative Interviews with MUKI Staff*

We coded one hundred sixty-seven individual statements and then grouped them into seven categories and subsequently summarized these into three main themes. We again describe the main themes and categories in the following paragraphs illustrated with quotations translated from German to English. The respective number of codes is shown in parentheses.

### 3.3.1. The MUKI's Relevant Features (93)

The staff identified key MUKI features that they believed made attending the MUKI project particularly attractive to the refugee women.

#### The MUKI's Atmosphere (30)

The MUKI staff explained that the MUKI exerted a calming and relaxing effect on the women. One staff member pointed out: 'I think the atmosphere is important. Everybody is welcome. Everybody can talk to each other. Sometimes there is a German language course. But even if there is no German language course, there is still a lot going on here. They feel very comfortable here. It's a change from staying in their room, a change of scenery' (2002CR/53). They highlighted how they could see that the women benefited from the MUKI's friendly atmosphere in which they experienced a sense of acceptance and inclusion. Furthermore, one staff member stated: 'I had trauma training. And there, we were told that it is essential for individuals with forced migration experiences to maintain their independence and feel that they have something under their control. I think that this can be encouraged here with the German classes and crafting. The women feel less passive but can be active. I think this also helps them with their integration process if they can learn some German and engage with others' (0506CS/51). Interviewed staff members emphasized that the MUKI's women-only policy helped the refugee women feel comfortable and more at home there. One staff member said that she felt that the women were invigorated after attending the MUKI: 'Here, the atmosphere is open and relaxed. The women can be themselves, can contribute. They don't have to ask or come as petitioner; we do everything together here' (0506CS/59).

#### The MUKI's Services (36)

The staff felt that the MUKI's services provided the women with somewhere to go and something to do. One interviewee stated: 'Every Friday, there is an offer where a lady brings many very nice craft supplies and crafts and paints with the refugee women. This keeps them busy and takes their mind off things. We always have sheets and pens here which the women and children can use. And books and booklets they can read. Especially, children's books need to be on the bookshelf. Once, a woman asked me if she can read to me to practice her German' (0407ZW/33). The staff members felt that the MUKI provided the refugee women with distraction from their everyday worries, problems, and burdening thoughts, while the services also improved their sense of self-efficacy and control despite

their difficult situation. One interviewee stated: 'Yesterday, there was a celebration and the place was packed. I think there were more than 35 women here. This was a real highlight because they can enjoy eating something else, too. And it is something special; you can forget everything. They danced to the music; there was this feeling that no problems existed here—it was as if they were back home, in their country' (0506CS/38). The staff felt that the MUKI enabled the women to practice their "soft" skills, including openness and sociability, after experiencing much hostility during their flight. Additionally, the staff pointed out that the MUKI's fixed opening hours helped maintain a daily routine. The provided childcare services also enabled the women to recuperate and engage: 'The women don't have to leave their children somewhere. They can take them along. I think that this is very important for the women' (2002CR/63).

#### Socializing with Other Female Refugees (27)

The staff felt that the interaction and sense of community between the refugee women across all cultural and religious backgrounds was an essential experience for the women: *I think they are more confident in engaging with other women. And that they have friends to meet with—it is an important development that they understand that they can approach others and talk to others. That they can approach us and create the first contact with Germans and with other women. That is so nourishing* (0407ZW/51). They described how if the refugees did not speak the same language, they would exchange the information nonverbally. They also mentioned women supporting each other in learning German or showing each other different headscarf tying techniques. One statement was: *They teach each other German. This is impressive to see. It does not matter from which country they are; if one is better than the other, she teaches the other. That is amazing. And it really goes across cultural barriers* (0407ZW/33).

#### 3.3.2. Factors Impeding Work at the MUKI (52)

This central theme summarizes staff statements regarding experienced difficulties while working at MUKI.

### Individual Difficulties (13)

The staff described their work at MUKI as stressful and exhausting. Many felt very responsible for the refugee women and found it challenging to keep their professional distance, sometimes feeling too emotionally entangled with their stories. One staff interviewee mentioned: *It is tough hearing the stories. For instance, if you hear that they have not seen their families for five months and that they are very sad about that, it really hurts me. You have to watch out for yourself. And that's the attitude I come here with because, I know, that it is very close to my heart and I have to be careful* (0407ZW/61). *I have been working with refugees for a year now. In the beginning, it was tough for me to keep some professional distance. But now, I think, I have to take care of myself because if I don't, then I won't be able to do a good job anymore* (2002CR/155). The MUKI's counseling services, which include asylum and procedural counseling, were so popular that the staff reported often working nonstop to ensure that all women received the help they needed. One interviewee stated: *It would be so nice to create more projects for the women. [* . . . *] But you just can't manage it when you are working here and have to take care of everything: little activities, little pleasures. I would really like to include more, but it is hard. We are already overburdened as it is* (0407ZW). Staff also reported that it was difficult for them to keep track of so many refugee women attending MUKI.

#### Interactional Difficulties with the Refugee Women (12)

The MUKI staff described having trouble engaging with some attendees, especially when they perceived the women as very demanding and impatient toward them. One statement was: *I have the feeling that since the expedite asylum procedure started, the individuals are more demanding, impatient, and sometimes more aggressive* (2002CR/125). One staff member said: *In the beginning, I was always very cautious with touching the refugee women. And I always asked—I still do this. And then, there was this one lady who really shouted at me: You are the* *doctor. Just do your job and don't ask me all the time* (2709BTr/65). They also reported that they had to deal with territorial behavior among the women. On one occasion, a group of refugee women had attempted to take over the MUKI, preventing other potential MUKI attendees from coming in. For instance, one staff member told us: *Once, there was a strong group of women. They were a quite dominant unit. [* . . . *]. I defended another woman who the women wanted to send away because she had been too loud with their children. The group of women wanted to create a calm place and place to sleep. And the woman with her children was attacked. [* . . . *] And of course, I stood by this one woman, and then it really escalated* (2002CR/99).
