Conclusion: What Migration Does to Women, What Women Do to Migration

This conclusion offers a feminist critique of migration studies, unveiling the complexities and nuances of female migration experiences while challenging prevailing narratives and policies. The author offers a critical discussion centred on the concept of the “feminisation of migration,” a term often used in Migration Studies, albeit with misinterpretations. The author advocates for a shift towards the notion of the “feminisation of the gaze” to shed fresh light on the phenomenon of female migration, emphasising a feminist perspective. This approach highlights the intricate relationship between migration and emancipation, moving beyond the simplistic portrayal of migrant women as either victims or heroines. The concept of “autonomy in tension” is introduced to capture the ambivalence of migrant women’s positions. Recognising the complexity of femininity, the chapter underscores the importance of an intersectional perspective, acknowledging the diversity among migrant women in terms of legal status, race, age, and class. Furthermore, the book challenges the assumption that issues related to female migration are solely rooted in gender or kinship relations. It demonstrates how women’s agency is not just threatened by patriarchal structures but also by EU migration policies that perpetuate vulnerability and undermine their autonomy.