Gendered migration in the global south: An intersectional perspective on inequality

Abstract

The links between gender and migration are well understood, as the result of extensive research on the highly gendered nature of migration drivers, dynamics and impacts associated with broader processes of societal transformation. The role of gender norms in shaping migratory decisions on who stays, who moves and how resources are allocated are also well understood. Far less attention has been paid to intersectional approaches, and the comparative dynamics of gendered processes and outcomes in the context of South-South migration. This chapter aims to redress an existing bias towards destination countries by placing greater emphasis on countries of origin and transnational social fields. By focusing on migrants' precariour status as workers, it also moves beyond the overwhelming focus on domestic work to highlight other overlooked sectors in which there are highly gendered patterns of migrant employment, such as manufacturing, agriculture and tourism. The chapter addresses this gap by adopting an intersectional perspective on cross-sectoral inequalities related to migration.