Women and Migration: A Sociological Review on The Current Trends and Future of Women Migration in Bangladesh
Women and Migration: A Sociological Review on The Current Trends and Future of Women Migration in Bangladesh

Author(s): Manzuma Ahsan
Subject(s): Gender Studies, Sociology, Migration Studies
Published by: Transnational Press London
Keywords: Women Migrant Workers; Migration Challenges; Gender-based Violence;
Summary/Abstract: In Bangladesh, it is estimated that more than 10,000,000 individuals have migrated overseas for work from 1976 to 2016. Women workers constituted less than 1 per cent of the total workers in 2002 which has arisen to a 13 per cent by 2013. This shows that migration has been a demanding issue for both men and women aspirants for a long time. However, many of the migrant workers face the challenge of adapting to a society that is not their own. And women become the most vulnerable of such situations as they experience a continuum of gender-based violence. According to a government report, 35 per cent of returned migrants have faced abuses in many forms. Some recent stories of exploitation from the victims have even surfaced on the social media. This shows the harsh conditions of Bangladeshi women migrant workers abroad. This ultimately becomes a threat for the overall socio-economic development of the country. Following this, the aim of this study was to explore the issue of women migration in Bangladesh in terms of its current trends and future from a sociological viewpoint. The study had followed its development mainly from the secondary information focused on existing literature and media (newspaper) review. Different international and national journals, reports, and statistical data have been followed. Special concentration has been provided to the newspaper reports. The sociological review on the current trends of women migration from Bangladesh indicates that there exists a cruel reality for the women workers abroad. But these go mostly unreported. The fear of being stigmatized after returning also plays a notorious role for such cases. This creates a constant threat for the future of women migration in Bangladesh. To mitigate the problem, both awareness and activities should be in place with proper inclusion of human resources.

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