Meanwhile, Manijeh, a PhD holder from Iran, has been a resident of Sweden for the past 32 years. Currently working as a researcher in the Swedish Health Organization, Manijeh perceives a significant distance between the EU and the general populace, despite the direct impact of many EU decisions on people’s daily lives. Having voted in previous EU elections, she expresses a steadfast commitment to continue voting in the future. Manijeh believes that the choices made within the EU framework have profound implications for society, the world, and the environment. As such, she asserts that voters bear the responsibility of acquiring comprehensive knowledge about the EU policies of different political parties before casting their votes. Manijeh emphasizes the importance of supporting parties that advocate for equal rights, peace, and addressing the ongoing climate crisis, aligning with her vision for a better society.

It’s important to recognize the broad impact of the European elections, particularly on migrant women. Migrant women constitute a significant segment of Sweden’s population, representing around 20% according to Statistics Sweden (SCB). Despite Sweden’s reputation for immigrant friendliness, migrant women, like other immigrants, encounter integration challenges such as language barriers, cultural adjustment, and accessing education and employment. Sweden, therefore, has instituted policies to promote equality and combat discrimination, including gender-based discrimination, aiming to ensure migrant women have equal opportunities.