A critique of gender‐blind migration theories and data sources
| Published date | 01 August 2023 |
| Author | Tuba Bircan,Sinem Yilmaz |
| Date | 01 August 2023 |
| DOI | http://doi.org/10.1111/imig.13088 |
1Interface Demography, Vrije Universiteit
Brussel, Ixelles, Belgium
2Migration Policy Group, Brussels, Belgium
Correspondence
Sinem Yilmaz, Migration Policy Group, 205
Rue Belliard, Box 1 | 1040, Brussels, Belgium.
Email: syilmaz@migpolgroup.com
Funding information
“HumMingBird - Enhanced migration
measures from a multidimensional
perspective” (GA: 870661); European
Commission; Horizon 2020 Framework
Programme
Abstract
Despite this being the era of migration, no systematic theory
of international migration has emerged, nor is there an
academic or political agreement on ways in which migration
is a ‘gendered’ process. Both theoretically and as inputs in
the policy-making process, gender-blind approaches have
actually rendered the gender dimension of migration more
or less invisible. Through an in-depth examination of the
place of gender in the key theories of migration and rele-
vant sources of data, the paper seeks to take stock of how
these theories treat this dimension and investigate the
cross-sectional challenges in uncovering gender in interna-
tional migration data. It, therefore, provides a critical review
of both theory and data by shedding much-needed light on
their neglect of the gender aspects. Our findings based on a
conceptual review of the literature and a case study based
on Eurostat data on migration drivers demonstrate that
migration theories and statistics typically equate gender
with sex, which limits our ability to develop a comprehen-
sive understanding of how complex gender dimensions
shape the migration process. Moreover, given the extent to
which existing data and theories overlook the intersection-
ality between the drivers of migration and diversity within
migrant groups, this gap in knowledge presents an obstacle
to gender-responsive migration governance. In light of this,
the paper discusses priorities for ‘gendering’ international
migration research. We argue that in addition to improv-
ing accuracy and coverage of sex-disaggregated statistics
ORIGINAL ARTICLE
A critique of gender-blind migration theories and
data sources
Tuba Bircan1 | Sinem Yilmaz2
DOI: 10.1111/imig.13088
Received: 25 January 2022 Revised: 7 June 2022 Accepted: 4 October 2022
170
© 2022 International Organization for Migration.
Int Migr. 2023;61:170–185.wileyonlinelibrary.com/journal/imig
GENDER-BLIND MIGRATION THEORIES AND DATA171
INTRODUCTION
Feminist perspectives in globalisation theory and policy have highlighted that gender is an important factor influenc-
ing global migration (see Kofman & Raghuram, 2015) and this recognition has created a growing interest in research
on women and migration which has begun to fill the gap created by the earlier focus on the stereotypical male
labour migrant (Carling, 2005). Gender gradually became more of an analytical category and migration studies has
been engendered (see Herrera, 2013). This has provided new interpretations of the social organisation of migration,
transnationalism, assimilation and social integration, and migration policy, among others (Curran et al., 2006; Donato
et al., 2006; Hondagneu-Sotelo, 1999; Mahler & Pessar, 2006; Morokvasic, 1984). Although gender has contributed
to the study of international migration, no systematic theory of international migration has emerged, nor is there an
academic or political agreement on ways in which migration is a ‘gendered’ process.
According to the United Nations, women represented nearly half (48%) of international migrants worldwide
(UN DESA, 2021). However, “the invisibility of women in international migration scholarship does not correspond
to the reality of international migration” (Pessar & Mahler, 2003, 816). This is a concern since scholarship informs
policy-making, which is, in turn, a primary factor in the entire migration process, from aspirations to migrate, driv-
ers of the decision to move, and the selection of the destination country, not to mention post-arrival legal and
socio-economic integration and social and political inclusion. Consequently, both theoretically and as inputs in the
policy-making process, gender-blind approaches, that do not consider the gender-specific realities of migrants, have
actually rendered the gender dimension of migration more or less invisible.
International migration data include information on different forms of population movements (i.e., short- or
long-term, forced or voluntary, internal or cross-border), the characteristics of the movement and of those on the
move, and the reasons for—and impacts of—migration (IOM, 2021a). Migration is a complex global phenomenon that
requires reliable, high-quality, and timely data if policies that address migration-related challenges are to be designed
and implemented. For the first time, the 2030 Agenda for Suitable Development emphasised the role of migration
for sustainable development. The SDGs underline the urgent need for improving migration statistics as 10 out of
17 goals include migration related indicators and/or targets. Moreover, IOM's World Migration Report 2022 has a
dedicated section on evidence-based analyses of complex migration issues where the need for better data is stressed
(McAuliffe & Triandafyllidou, 2021). However, available migration data are limited and have significant shortcomings,
such as variation in definitions and measurement, limited information on the drivers or reasons for migration, partial
coverage of particular geographical regions and migrant demographics, insufficient attention to the gender dimen-
sion, and time lags in the release of data for policymakers (Bircan et al., 2020).
Among these shortcomings, in this paper, we focus on gender as it is particularly essential to advocate gender
responsiveness 1 also in collection and analyses of data not only for strengthening evidence-based policy-making
(Hennebry et al., 2021) but also empowering collaboration between migration statistics scholars and gender statistics
experts both of whom aim at counteracting invisibility of women and gender. Ensuring gender-responsive 2 migration
data is crucial for developing outcomes that reflect an understanding of gender roles and inequalities and for inform-
ing evidence-based migration policies that adequately respond to the needs of people on the move. Moreover, such
data must encompass the intersectional experiences of migrants and gender-based reasons for migration.
The paper offers an in-depth examination of the place of gender in the key theories of migration and the main
sources of international migration data. In so doing, it has two key aims. First, it seeks to take stock of how the main
theories address the gender dimension. Second, it looks to expose the cross-sectional challenges in locating gender
on international migration, both regular and irregular, it is
crucial to develop quantitative as well as qualitative indica-
tors to monitor the gender dimension in this area.
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