An Overview of the Contexts, Types and Consequences of Women's International Migration

Today, Women comprise about half of the international migration flows. This weighting of men’s and women’s migration has been one of the most important recent migration developments that has attracted the attention of immigration researchers since the 1970s. The present study has investigated the trends, types, and characteristics of international migration of women in accordance with the latest statics and reports of international organizations. The results showed that this trend can be studied in the context of globalization and gender. In particular, globalization has greatly increased the demand for cheap and obedient female labor. Women may migrate freely or under duress. Also for women, the motivation for immigration can be freedom from discrimination and gender norms. Creating equal opportunities for women in international mobility and obtaining appropriate economic and social opportunities without gender stereotypes can be seen as an example of development. Although women in this process may also have to face challenges. On the one hand, the gender division of labor in the global economy, and on the other, gender stereotypes, put the immigrant interests of women in greater risk than men. Illegal female immigrants as well as unskilled immigrant women are more likely to be affected.