Understanding the gendered dynamics of migration, displacement and culture

Understanding the gendered dynamics of migration, displacement and culture.

Understanding the gendered dynamics of migration, displacement and culture is central to promoting inclusive societies and peace. This research project brings together communities and scholars from South Asia and the Middle East in the use of innovative methods to provide knowledge for development.

Spanning several years, this research advances the delivery of Sustainable Development Goal 5 on gender equality; 16 on peace, justice and strong institutions; and the implementation of the Women, Peace and Security agenda.

Labour and migrant workers

Afghanistan

“Needlework and embroidery are central to Afghan women’s lives…”

“After the 2021 Taliban takeover, some women in the project were forced to flee the country to Pakistan as their rights were rolled back.”

“For women who remain inside Afghanistan, craft making from within the home can be one of the only options for income.”
India

“Conflict systematically excluded women from the political narrative because of their gender.”

“Craft making enables the women to generate an income from home…”

“…women come to realise their own skills and self-worth as artists in the context of a patriarchal society that traditionally prioritises the skills of men.”
Iran

“…Kurds not only constitute one of the largest stateless nations in the world, but also one of the largest diaspora communities.”

“Many of the women in this study complained about sexual harassment on public transport…limiting<br>

their mobility and safety across the city.”

“There are significant Kurdish professions and companies in Germany, Great Britain and Sweden.”
Lebanon

“In 2020… the estimated number of migrant workers in Lebanon exceeded 400,000.”

“In Lebanon there is a lack of legal and societal preparedness to respect and protect the rights of female migrant workers…”

“The domestic workers perceived their experience in Lebanon as temporary.”
Pakistan

“Nearly all describe their living and working conditions in positive terms.”

“The ability to generate an income through crafts gave the women greater autonomy in decision making, particularly in relation to marriage.”

“There is very limited documentation or literature of cultural practices.”
Sri Lanka

“During the war more than a million Sri Lankans belonging to the country’s Northern and Eastern provinces were displaced from their homes.”

“The average income of female-headed households is half of that of the male-headed households.”

“There has also been little written about Sri Lanka’s arts and crafts that maps current practices

and their status since the late eighties.”
Turkey

“There were multiple drivers shaping women’s migration to Turkey.”

“…the majority of women are exposed to verbal, physical and/or sexual harassment in public spaces in Istanbul.”

“Despite the risks, many women feel it is worth migrating.”

Middlesex University hosted the Migration and Displacement workstream, co-directed by Professor Eleonore Kofman.
The Culture and Conflict project was part of the Transformation and Empowerment workstream and was led by Dr Neelam Raina

Our research partners were:
Mosaic MENA, Lebanon
Kadir Has University, Turkey
Kurdistan
Yakjah Peace and Reconciliation Network, India
Paiman Alumni Trust, Pakistan
Laajverd, Pakistan
Association of War Affected Women, Sri Lanka
Women for Peace and Participation, Afghanistan

Understanding the gendered dynamics of migration, displacement and culture

Understanding the gendered dynamics of migration, displacement and culture.

Labour and migrant workers

Labour and migrant workers

Labour and migrant workers

Labour and migrant workers

“Needlework and embroidery are central to Afghan women’s lives…”

“After the 2021 Taliban takeover, some women in the project were forced to flee the country to Pakistan as their rights were rolled back.”

“For women who remain inside Afghanistan, craft making from within the home can be one of the only options for income.”