Society
Of The Divine Word

One of the primary barriers is the lack of access to childcare services. In Italy, only 26% of children under the age of three have access to early childhood facilities, a figure below the European Commission’s recommended minimum of 33%. This shortage severely limits employment opportunities for single parents, who often have to forgo work or training to care for their children.

The language barrier represents another major obstacle. Around 70% of refugees in Italy do not speak Italian, making it difficult to access both job and training opportunities. For single parents, the lack of time and resources to attend language classes further exacerbates the issue, creating a vicious cycle of social and labor exclusion.

Refugee women, in particular, face unique challenges. Professional training programs are often tailored to traditionally male-dominated fields like electrical work or mechanics, excluding women from potential career paths. Moreover, the need to care for children limits their participation in courses or internships.

Male single parents who are refugees in the Province of Vicenza—and more broadly in Italy—face a unique set of challenges that are often overlooked in both public discourse and policy design. While much attention is (rightfully) given to single mothers, single fathers in refugee communities are frequently excluded from targeted support, even though their struggles are equally complex.

Without extended family support, male and female single parents must often choose between work and caring for their children. Many jobs—especially in construction, agriculture, or manufacturing, which are often open to male refugees—require long hours and physical presence, making it difficult to reconcile with parental duties.

Many female refugees find themselves in informal, low-paid jobs—such as food delivery or domestic work—without legal protections or prospects for advancement. This situation is often the result of a general mistrust toward integration programs, which are perceived as too lengthy or inaccessible.

Despite these hardships, examples of resilience and solidarity do exist. In some communities, mothers organize to look after each other’s children, allowing others to attend language or vocational courses. Organizations like Caritas Vicenza also coordinate networks of volunteers who provide practical and emotional support.

These stories highlight the pressing need for inclusive policies and local initiatives that take into account the specific realities of single-parent refugees, especially women, to ensure a fair chance at employment and a stable future.