Dina Refki

Dina Refki studied and researched the interplay of gender with institutional structures in the US and international context. She applies gender mainstreaming and budgeting analysis in transnational perspectives. Prior to assuming leadership at the Center for Women in Government & Civil Society in 2009, she held different positions at CWGCS including Director of Immigrant Women & State Policy Program which facilitated interagency collaboration, promoted dialogues with civil society and immigrant women at the state level, and worked to identify and address barriers to the integration of immigrant women in the social, economic and political fabric of local communities. Refki studies the challenges of migration, the barriers facing immigrant women and their families, and the structural changes needed, to better respond to the needs of immigrant women.

Her work focuses on illuminating barriers in accessing reproductive health services from the perspectives of patients and providers. Her work was supported by the Agency for Healthcare Research & Quality, the US Department of Health & Human Services and the NYS Department of Health. She also serves as Principal Investigator of the Immigrant Integration Index.

In addition, Refki studies women’s political leadership and has researched Women in Federal and State Judgeships in the U.S. and the substantive representation of women in legislative bodies. Dr. Refki is the author of several gender-focused research publications produced at CWGCS. She holds a doctorate in Humanistic Studies and a Masters in Africana Studies from the University at Albany.