Despite the high level of digitalisation in the Nordic region, certain population groups face challenges in accessing and utilising digital services. Immigrant women, and more specifically newly arrived and those with limited local language proficiency and lower socioeconomic or educational backgrounds, are identified as a digitally vulnerable group. Digital inclusion is crucial for the integration of immigrant women in the Nordics, as it ensures access to essential services, education, and employment opportunities. Conversely, digital exclusion can lead to social isolation and hinder the ability to fully participate in society.
This study explores digital inclusion of immigrant women in the Nordics, focusing on the policy landscape, barriers for digital inclusion, and practices for promoting digital engagement. The study employs a qualitative research design, including policy analysis, document review, and interviews with civil society actors from Finland, Norway, Sweden, and Denmark. Previous research has identified the central role of civil society in promoting digital inclusion of groups at risk of digital exclusion. Other support channels also exist.
Our findings highlight that the policy landscape for digital inclusion varies across the Nordic countries. Norwegian policies explicitly identify immigrant women as vulnerable, while other countries address broader immigrant challenges without a specific focus on women. Most policies recognise common barriers such as lack of language skills and low digital literacy, and adopt a ‘common challenges, common solutions’ approach. This approach aims to address similar challenges faced by various groups at risk of digital exclusion by developing comprehensive solutions that benefit a broader range of people and use resources more efficiently. What is more effective for combating digital exclusion – targeted policies or broader policies – is too early to determine.
Immigrant women is a heterogenous group, but common barriers to digital inclusion include limited language proficiency, low digital skills, and low trust issues in technology, the system and their own abilities. These issues are similar to those faced by other groups at risk of digital exclusion. What is notable for immigrant women is that they often encounter a combination of challenges and may also face systemic challenges such as cultural differences, lack of “domain knowledge”, and systemic barriers such as discrimination, family responsibilities, and limited access to childcare and education.
Practices promoting digital inclusion in the digitalisation policies involve developing user-friendly eIDs, investing in digital skills for those with low digital literacy and providing digital assistance for those in need, and offering services in multiple languages.
NGOs have first-hand knowledge about their target group and can provide tailored digital literacy courses and create supportive environments. NGOs can act as bridges between immigrant women and the public sector, helping to build trust and provide clear, accessible information and offer knowledge about their target group.
NGOs report that strategies that work well to engage and enable participation include:
Anchoring solutions within the target group to match their needs, involving participants in the design of the support.
Tailoring support by offering childcare, multilingual services, courses at different skills levels, and programmes for women to meet and discuss.
Addressing digital and social barriers through a holistic approach, including language education, community building and democratic participation together with digital literacy.
Digital inclusion is essential for integrating immigrant women in the Nordic countries. Although digital innovations provide significant benefits, they also pose challenges to integration, making it a double-edged sword. This study underscores the need for new and creative strategies and initiatives to promote digital inclusion and integration.