Migration: Is It a Feminist Issue?
by: Daisy O'Neill
Having done a research project on immigrant rights within my political science class and also taking a class on gender violence this semester, I came to wonder how women are affected by immigration processes. While immigration is a struggle for all of those involved, it disproportionately affects women due to unsafe conditions and health risks.
Immigrating, especially as a migrant, is not an easy process for anyone. With the dangerous risks people take in order to seek refuge, any number of outcomes are possible on that journey. But, women do have a higher risk of uncertainty due to their gender.
As any female who is reading this blog can attest to, walking home alone on the street at night can be a potential danger. Personally, my coworker will not even let me walk from our campus gym to the parking lot after closing the building because, the sad reality is, that it really is dangerous for a woman to be walking around alone at night! Now put that into perspective, imagine being a female immigrating in unfavorable conditions to another country.
Female migrants face sexual exploitation, trafficking, and violence on their journeys, making it a hard decision to even fathom traveling alone. Not only do the treacherous travel conditions pose a threat, but areas such as crowded camps and poorly lit public restrooms are very vulnerable places for women, which can lead to sexual violence.
In addition to the risk of sexual violence, female migrants are also more at risk of health problems. Unfortunately, during the trek, women cannot stop their reproductive functions. Yes, that means that with no access to restrooms or feminine products, women migrants will get their period. Furthermore, women do not stop getting pregnant while on the move, and having a lack of healthcare does not help. According to the United Nations Population Fund (UNPF), the lack of reproductive health care (i.e., family planning, antenatal services, and childbirth care) is one of the leading causes of death for displaced women. Deciding whether to flee a country can become a very difficult decision for women specifically due to these conditions, even though sometimes it may be the best option.
It is important to understand that female migrants overall are disproportionately affected due to treacherous conditions and the lack of health care access when traveling. Looking at immigration through an intersectional lens broadens one’s eyes to the horrific actuality of such processes.
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