Finding a way: Afghan women's experience in community participation

Community participation is embedded in primary health care and is key to improving the health and well-being of communities. The concept has not, however, been well studied particularly from the perspective of community members who participate. This article describes findings from qualitative interviews with five Afghan refugee women to explore their experience and the meaning of community participation. From data analysis, two themes emerged: Becoming active encompasses their stories of home, flight, resettlement, learning, and coming together; and being active reflects what they are doing and why they are doing it. Nascent themes and questions that need further elucidation are also discussed.