Table 1 Characteristics of the included studies

Açıkalın et al. (2021) [48].

Türkiye

March 2020—June 2020.

Qualitative; semi-structured interviews.

To determine how the COVID-19 pandemic influenced integration of women refugees into Turkish society.

50 refugees.

The COVID-19 outbreak affected refugee women’s integration in an unprecedented way, especially with regard to education, economy, and social and family life. Their access to healthcare was also compromised. Refugee women stated that the pandemic positively influenced the security dimension of integration.

Angulo-Giraldo et al. (2021) [49].

Peru.

March 19—April 30, 2020.

Qualitative; Retrospective correlational study with an online survey.

To identify the impact generated by the media on Venezuelan migrant women in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic and to know how it relates to their emotional state and to compliance with health recommendations.

385 migrant women from 2 associations of Venezuelan migrants residing in Lima.

There is an association between media and emotional impact; none of the analyzed media provided reassuring information but disturbed the audience. In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, the media sharpened migrant women’s feelings of concern, fear, terror, and anger.

Golesorkhi et al. (2020) [45].

United States of America (USA).

May—July 2020.

Qualitative; interviews and community observation.

To highlight the significance of community efforts in providing gender-responsive measures that address the specific needs and challenges of refugee women.

15 refugee women and representatives of organizations working with refugees.

Refugee women’s livelihoods have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic in several ways. These included job loss and barriers to access to healthcare, becoming essential workers and assuming additional caretaking roles, and finding themselves again in situations of limited mobility and social isolation.

Karajerjian (2021) [50].

Lebanon.

2021.

Qualitative; FGDs and semi-structured interviews.

To understand how refugee women who escaped the Syrian war cope with their exile and how it affects their mental health and well-being.

 > 50 migrant women who have been visiting primary healthcare centers in Beirut and 2 social workers.

Syrian refugee women in Beirut had to face several hardships, such as paying rent, finding a job, accessing aid, and continuing to perform their caring roles. The COVID-19 pandemic has multiplied their personal and economic challenges, affecting participants’ mental health and overall well-being.

Lightman (2021) [51].

Canada.

January 1—March 30, 2021.

Qualitative; in-depth interviews.

To uncover the lived experiences of immigrant women healthcare aides (HCAs) working in Calgary's long-term care (LTC) sector during the COVID-19 pandemic.

25 immigrant women working as HCAs in LTC in Calgary.

The COVID-19 pandemic impacted the working lives of immigrant women employed in LTC facilities on a daily basis. Their experiences of economic and social exclusion have been exacerbated by the pandemic.

Lusambili et al. (2020) [52].

Kenya.

October 2020.

Qualitative; in-depth interviews.

To improve understanding of the impact of COVID-19 on women refugees' access to and utilization of antenatal, delivery and postnatal care.

15 patients from antenatal and postnatal care who are migrant women and 10 healthcare workers (HCWs) and community health volunteers.

Within the first 8 months of COVID-19, refugee women preference for home deliveries increased and health care workers reported having observed reduced utilization of services and delayed care-seeking. Fear, economic challenges, and lack of migrant-inclusive health system policies were key factors influencing home deliveries and delayed and low uptake of facility-based care.

Marabello et al. (2020) [47].

Italy.

Not indicated.

Qualitative; ethnographic study.

To investigate notions of visibility/invisibility of migrants in Italy and how they have been impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak and also related to the virus and its perception.

Diseased adult men, sex-trafficked women, and mothers of young children (0–5 years).

The COVID-19 pandemic had several repercussions on migrants and refugees living in reception structures in Bologna, and interrupted their personal trajectories and projects. After the implementation of policies that rendered invisible the condition of migrants in the months prior to the pandemic, migrants returned to a position of visibility as essential service workers.

Melov et al. (2021) [53].

Australia.

November 18—December 16, 2020.

Qualitative; semi-structured interviews.

To explore the experience of maternity clinicians serving a high migrant population during the COVID-19 pandemic.

14 maternity care clinicians working in a tertiary referral hospital in Sydney.

COVID-19 related travel restrictions resulted in loss of valued family support for migrant women’s families. As a consequence, male partners had to replace the role of absent overseas relatives.

Mutambara et al. (2021) [54].

South Africa.

July—October 2020.

Qualitative; interviews.

To illustrate the ways in which COVID-19 has exacerbated refugee women's insecurity and intensified structural violence which renders them vulnerable.

26 refugee women.

The COVID-19 pandemic, together with mitigation measures, has impacted refugee women well-being, exacerbated their insecurities, and intensified structural violence. If left unaddressed by government, NGOs and civil society organizations, the impacts of the pandemic could lead to long-term violence and insecurities.

Nardon et al. (2021) [55].

Canada.

August 2020.

Inductive, qualitative and elaborative study; online questionnaire.

To explore how the COVID-19 pandemic impacted skilled newcomer migrant women’s labor market outcomes and work experiences.

69 migrants; exact legal status not specified.

The COVID-19 pandemic pushed skilled immigrant women towards unemployment, lower -skilled or less stable employment. Most study participants had their career trajectory delayed, interrupted, or reversed due to layoffs, decreased job opportunities, and increased domestic burden. The gendered nature of the pandemic and the reliance on work-from-home arrangements and online job search have increased immigrant women’s challenges due to limited social support and increased family responsibilities.

Phillimore et al. (2021) [46].

United Kingdom (UK), Türkiye, Tunisia, Sweden, Australia.

April 14—April 28, 2020.

Qualitative; interviews.

To examine the condition of forced migrant survivors of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV).

52 forced migrants that were also SGBV survivors (48 female, 4 male) and service providers (e. g. SGBV personnel, psychologists and social workers).

The conditions generated by the COVID-19 pandemic have added an additional layer of disadvantage for forced migrant women survivors of SGBV. The experiences of forced migrants have been shaped by multiple intersecting inequalities: those with irregular immigration status, without access to public funds, and with caring responsibilities experienced worse outcomes.

Sabri et al. (2020) [56].

USA.

Not indicated.

Qualitative; interviews.

To understand immigrant survivors and service providers’ perspectives on the impact of COVID-19 on survivors’ health and safety, the quality of services and suggestions on how to mitigate the risks for increased intimate partner violence (IPV).

45 immigrant women. 17 key informants/ service providers with experience in serving survivors of IPV.

All participants described a reciprocal and reinforcing relationship between increased life stressors and IPV due to the COVID-19 pandemic and containment measures put in place. Support strategies have also been suggested from the participants.

Mingo (2021) [57].

Cuba.

Not indicated.

Analysis of a single interview whose content has been systematized.

To examine from the perspective of race, gender, and class the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic on the participant’s personal and work life as well as in her relationship with the host country.

1 migrant woman.

The COVID-19 pandemic caused uncertainty and pessimism. The woman mentioned in the article experienced episodes of discrimination due to the intersectionality of race, gender, and class.

Simic (2021) [58].

Australia.

Not indicated.

Personal essay.

To offer a personal reflection on life in Australia during the COVID-19 pandemic, in particular on what it means for a migrant woman with a complex, traumatic past to be forcibly separated from her family during lockdown.

1 migrant woman.

The COVID-19 pandemic triggered personal struggles such as forced separation and causing trauma from the past to come to light again.