Women and Irregular Migration, Case Study: Afghan Immigrant Women’s Challenges in Transit Countries

Author
Saideh Saidi
Researcher, Center for Middle East Strategic Studies
Abstract
International migration as one the main challenges for the world society has a great impact upon individuals and states.This paper tries to analysis migratory patterns of Afghan immigrant women residing in Iran in terms of re-emigration decision to Europe via irregular network and will shed light on their further challenges in transit countries especially Turkey.This research is based on qualitative ethnographic method which consists of 30 semi-structured interviews with Afghan immigrant women (21 in Iran and 9 in Turkey)participant observation and secondary analysis and all data have been analyzed within thematic analysis.Afghan immigrants in Iran have three various migratory patterns: remaining in Iran, voluntary repatriation to Afghanistan and re-emigration to third countries. The third pattern is a widespread decision among Afghan youth especially via irregular networks. Within the scope of this paper Afghan women’s decision to re-emigrate to Europe will analysis in two folds: micro level (such as lack of education and job opportunities, ambiguity in their residency status and healthcare obstacles) and macro level (kinship networks in diaspora, smuggling networks, role of Internet and mass media as main provocative factors) and also challenges they will face in transit country such as financial deficits, sexual harassments, lack of social and cultural integration, deportation to the origin country, detention centers problems and unaccompanied mothers.

Keywords

 
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Society Culture Media
Volume 7, Issue 26
Winter 2018
Pages 11-46

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  • Receive Date 17 November 2018