Gender and Migration

Introduction to Module 15: Gender and Migration

Migration is a highly gendered process. Gender norms and roles influence the migration cycle from aspirations and abilities to migrate before departure, migration routes, the choice of the destination country, the type of migration status, the type of employment or education, inclusion within societies and communities, as well as one’s return and reintegration in countries of origin. This module will introduce students to the role of gender in migration processes and its impact on migration patterns and mobility.

Learning Objective

Students will be able to articulate how gender influences the migration experience, examine current migration trends by sex, and discuss the gendered implications of diverse migration scenarios like climate change and displacement.

WMR Chapter Focus

This module will draw on Chapter 6 “Gender and Migration: Trends, gaps and urgent action” in the World Migration Report 2024, IOM’s 2022 report titled “The Impacts of COVID-19 on Migration and Migrants from a Gender Perspective”, resources from The Gender and Migration Policy Action Lab and other materials developed by the Migration Research and Publications Division.

Proposed Schedule

1-2 class periods (50-100 minutes) plus independent student work.

  • Class period one: introduction, student resource sheet; text-based and data-based questions
  • Class period two: Module One Scenario Interactive Activity: “Unpacking the gendered dynamics of displacement”

Student Assessment

There are several assessment options in this module and teachers may use some or all of them.

  • Understanding the Basics:

    • Questions based on the Student Resource Sheets

  • Going Further:

    • Text case study: Gender dimensions of migration, environment and climate change
    • Data case study: Migrant workers: Gendered patterns of migration
    • Interactive scenario: Youth and gender dynamics through the migration cycle

Evidence of Learning

Students will write a written response to questions on youth, gender and migration and present their findings to the class.

Starter Activity

Watch the Gender and Migration Research Policy Action Lab’s video titled ’Migrant voices’ on YouTube and discuss the different gendered implications of migration.