In the trans-border migration discourse, it would appear that such forms of migration in the main comprise men. Scant attention has been accorded to researching female initiated migration. One of the challenges confronting migration researchers is access to respondents that will share their experiences in fear of being exposed to repatriation or coming into conflict with migratory laws of the host country. This study overcomes such challenges by engaging with fifteen Rwandan female migrants who have self-initiated their migration to South Africa. It recounts whether their decision to migrate to South Africa has been mitigated by economic and social motives and whether such decision to migrate was voluntary. Their experiences in the migration journey and the steps that they take to secure a livelihood are explored. The impact of social networks before and after migration to their host country is analysed.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
AdepojuA. (2000). Regional integration, continuity and changing patterns of intra-regional migration in Sub-Saharan. in SiddiqueM.A.B (ed) International migration into the 21st Century: Essays in honour of Regional Appleyard.Aldershot: Edward Elgar Publishing.
2.
BabbieE., and MoutonJ. (2004). The Practice of Social Research.2nd ed.London: Oxford University Press.
3.
BabbieE., and MoutonJ. (2001). The Practice of Social Research.1st Ed. Cape Town: Oxford University Press.
BoswellC. (2002). “Addressing the causes of migration and refugee movements: the role of the European Union,” a Working Paper, Number, 73. UNHCR Evolution and Policy Analysis Unit.
Human Sciences Research Council. (2006). Migration in South and Southern Africa: Dynamics and Determinants, Report compiled by the Integrated Rural and Regional Development Research Programme, Human Sciences Research Council, HSRC Press.
15.
HymowitzS., and ParkerA. (2000). Post Genocide Rwanda. American University Washington College of Law Center for Human rights and Human Law.
16.
KalitanyiV., and VisserK. (2010). African Migrants in, South Africa: Job Takers or Job Creators?SAJEMS NS13 (2010) No 4.
17.
KnowledgeT. (2013). Assessment of Knowledge, Services and Gaps Regarding Refugee and Migrant Women and Children.Report of the Foundation for Human Rights, Department of Justice and Constitutional Development, South Africa.
18.
KumarR. (2004). Analysis of qualitative and quantitative research.London: Sage Publication.
19.
Maya-JariegoI., and ArmitageN. (2007) “Multiple senses of community in migration and commuting: The interplay between time, space and relations”, in International Sociology, vol. 22, no. 6, November.
20.
MasseyD. (2003). “Patterns and Process of the International Migration in the 21st Century,” a paper prepared for conference on African Migration in Comparative, Johannesburg, South Africa.
OjongV.B.A. (2002). A Study of Independent African Migrant Women in KwaZulu-Natal (South Africa): Their Lives and Work Experiences.A Research Project Submitted in Fulfilment of the MA Degree in Anthropology, Department of Anthropology, University of Zululand.
23.
PolkinghorneD.E. (2005). Language and meaning: Data collection in qualitative research.Journal of Counseling Psychology52: 137–145.
24.
Sefa DeiG., and AsgharzadehA. (2002). “What is to be done?A look at some Causes and Consequences of the African Brain Drain,” in African Issues, Vol. 30, no. 1.
25.
ShindondolaH. (2002). “Xenophobia in South Africa: The voices of international students,” a paper presented at the South African Sociological Association (SASA) Congress, 30 June–3 July.
26.
ShyakaA. (2005). The Rwandan Conflict Origin, Development, Exit Strategies: A Study ordered by: The National Unity and Reconciliation Commission.National University of Rwanda Press.
27.
UlinP.R.RobinsonT.R.TolleyE.T., and McNeillE.T. (2002). Qualitative methods: Afield guide for applied research in sexual and reproductive health.Family Health International: North Carolina.
28.
ZelezaP.T. (2002). “Contemporary African Migrations in a global Context” in African Issues, Vol. 30, No. 1.
