This analysis - produced by KVINFO, Denmark's knowledge centre for gender and equality - examines the relationship between negative social control and employment among adult women with an ethnic minority background in Denmark. It is based on a literature study and interviews with 31 researchers, professionals, other experts and three people who have experienced negative social control.

As outlined by the study, negative social control of a person involves limiting their freedom of choice - by way of 'rules', for example - when it comes to such issues as their personal relations, work, studies, sports, mobility, or way of dressing. Often, breaking these "rules" will result in some form of punishment. It is usually targeted at women and girls by husbands or fathers, but can also be carried out by mothers, siblings or an extended family or community. It has a significant impact on a woman's ability to integrate into Danish society.

The women whose situations are examined by the study either arrived recently in Denmark or have lived in an isolated way (often within their family unit) in the country for a number of years, and are now long-term unemployed. The validity of their residence permit usually depends upon the validity of their spouse or parent's residence permit. The analysis focuses on women assigned to the category of “non-Western” that is used in official Danish statistics*.

Overall, those interviewed over the course of the research said that employment can be an important factor in preventing negative social control, because it ensures economic self-sufficiency and therefore less dependence on others. Not only does it provide opportunities for networking and continuous career progression, it can also strengthen a person's knowledge of Danish and of their individual rights and relevant legislation, which can be central to preventing or halting negative social control. The report also notes that negative social control can constitute a barrier to securing employment in the first place, although those interviewed differed in their opinions on just how much of a barrier it can be.
 
The concluding recommendation given in the report is that Denmark needs to adopt a holistic, long-term approach to tackling the issue of negative social control of 'non-Western' women, ensured through legislation and the training and qualification of professionals.

The report is currently only available in Danish. Its author can be contacted via cheralyn.mealor@kvinfo.dk.

* Denmark's national statistics generally distinguish between residents with a foreign background from either ‘Western’ or ‘non-Western’ countries. In the Danish context, 'Western countries' are understood to be all EU countries plus Andorra, Australia, Canada, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Monaco, New Zealand, Norway, San Marino, Switzerland, United Kingdom, the United States and the Vatican. Those from any other country are defined by Denmark as 'non-Western'.