Discussion Questions: As an advanced practice nurse, what are three actions you can take to mitigate social impacts to marginalized women? What role does policy at either government, state, or local level play in the marginalization of women and childbearing families? Identify one policy that impacts marginalized groups (include whether the policy is at the federal, state, or local level). Discuss how policy impacts marginalized group either positively or negatively

Marginalized Women

Exploring Women’s Healthcare Experiences

Women face multiple forms of discrimination in their everyday lives; they have an increased risk of poverty and limited negotiating power and access to resources. They also endure tremendous hardships resulting from the proliferation of under-resourced and often spatially segregated urban areas. Marginalization refers to a prejudicial relegation of a group of people or concepts in all or certain spheres of human society based on insignificance or inferiority (Baah et al., 2019). Therefore, regarding women, the perception of subordination or secondary existence can be seen as a global challenge. For instance, the imposition of a dress code could specifically prevent women from certain identity groups from applying, such as Muslim women who wear a hijab or headscarf. It can also be structural, where state policies, systems and rules work to sideline minority women. Poverty is both a consequence and, at the same time, a cause of being marginalized, and marginalization can negatively impact individuals’ physical, psychological and emotional health, where actions must be taken to mitigate the social impact on marginalized women, the role played by policy at the governmental level in the marginalization of women and children-bearing families, policy impacting marginalized groups, and how the policy impacts marginalized groups.

Actions to Mitigate Social Impacts on Marginalized Women

Actions such as asking about their life at home and referring them to local women’s groups, housing organizations, daycare services, and employment agencies can help to mitigate social impacts on marginalized women. A home offers long- and short-term security for women as household members, especially unmarried women (Ortensi & Barbiano di Belgiojoso, 2018). The secure housing provides safe shelter and protection from homelessness after divorce, widowhood, job loss or other challenging circumstances. Similar to how female empowerment groups inspire girls to engage in society, they also show women that their voices matter. Being part of a marginalized group can often feel like one’s voice is being silenced. As an advanced practice nurse, it would be necessary to give visit women at their homes and get information about their life at home and understand whether they are being marginalized in any way so that if there is a need for the government or any other responsible authority or policy to take action the advanced practice nurse can inform the appropriate regulation or even refer them to local women’s groups which can overcome the issue of marginalization. An advanced practice nurse can also research to understand the social and cultural sources of women’s marginalization and how they can be mitigated (Prodan‐Bhalla & Browne, 2019). The research can also focus on unearthing policies that promote discrimination against women and recommend more women-friendly policies. A government that allows women to work, get an education, allow them to own property, have access to healthcare and minimize gender wage gaps allows women to be independent, educated and, therefore healthy. Offering daycare services would also be essential to mitigate social impacts on marginalized women as they can be advised and know how to overcome marginalization in their day-to-day life. An advanced practice nurse needs to ensure that the marginalization of women has been overcome in society.