Description

Trend towards an increasing proportion of women amongst international migrant workers. 

Additional notes and information

The feminisation of labour migration has occurred over the last few decades for three main reasons. First, the demand for labour, especially in more developed countries, is becoming increasingly gender-selective in favour of jobs typically filled by women, for example in services, healthcare, and entertainment, and especially as a result of the global care crisis. Second, changing gender relations in some countries of origin mean that women have more independence to work and migrate in greater numbers than was previously the case. Third, there has been a growth in the migration of women for domestic work, as well as in organised migration for marriage and the trafficking of women into the sex industry.

Sources

International Organization for Migration – IOM/United Nations Population Fund – UNFPA/United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs –

UNDESA (2013). International migration and development: Measures to ensure respect for and protection of the human rights of all migrants, with particular reference to women and children, as well as to prevent and combat smuggling of migrants and trafficking in persons, and to ensure regular, orderly, and safe migration. Background paper for High-Level Dialogue Series 2013.