Rethinking Vulnerability in Migration: From Passive Protection to Gender Empowerment

The purpose of this study is to analyze the way the concept of “vulnerability” is construed and applied in migration policies and practices, particularly concerning migrant women and return migrant women. While vulnerability is often invoked as a ground for offering protection and aid, it can also perpetuate disempowering narratives by framing women as passive recipients of support. The research thus explores vulnerability and agency as poles of a dichotomous dynamic within the satellite model of migration, in order to overcome this opposition by emphasizing the importance of a relational and intersectional approach that highlights women's resilience and empowerment.

The paper thus aims, on the one hand, to critically examine the traditional use of “vulnerability” to determine whether it reinforces dependence and undermines the agency of migrant women. On the other hand, it sets out to explore alternative approaches that emphasize resilience, strength, and empowerment, encouraging a shift from viewing women as vulnerable beings to recognizing them as key agents in their migration and reintegration journeys. The research will also consider how this shift in perspective might influence migration policies, advocacy efforts, and support networks, promoting a more robust and accurate reflection of the diverse experiences and strengths of migrant women. This final research stage will benefit from an exploratory field research phase conducted by the authors providing empirical insights into how such shifts in perspective can impact migrants.

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Gilodi, A. et al. (2024). Vulnerability in the Context of Migration: a Critical Overview and a New Conceptual Model. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42087-022-00288-5