Feminization without Empowerment? Evidence on Gendered Outcomes of International Migration in Punjab through the Lens of SDG 5 Framework
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.32674/zsyd1a95Keywords:
Gender equality, international migration, Punjab, SDG-5, study-based migrationAbstract
Punjab’s international migration landscape has witnessed increasing participation by women since 2010. This ongoing feminization of international migration may serve as an important catalyst for advancing Sustainable Development Goal 5 (SDG 5) in Punjab. The present study analyzes the increasing participation of women in international migration from Punjab through the lens of SDG 5 to assess its alignment with the SDG 5. The study employs a case study approach based on open-ended interviews with 14 migrant women from different districts of Punjab conducted between 2023 and 2024. The findings reveal a paradoxical trend where more women are migrating abroad for education and employment over time, their agency is often instrumentalized in the majority of cases, particularly to support broader male migration aspirations. The feminization of international migration in Punjab embodies instrumental gender equality, characterized by surface-level progress while simultaneously masking persistent structural inequalities. The study recommends policies to strengthen women’s autonomy, ensure safe migration, and enhance institutional support.
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