Previous approaches to documenting and understanding international migration have often disregraded the migration of women. Most migrant women move voluntarily, but women and girls are also forced migrants leaving their countries in order to flee conflict, persecution, environmental degradation, natural disasters or other situations that affect their security, livelihood or habitat.
In many instances, women left behind in their country of origin undertake income-generating activities to compensate for the income lost by the departure of their male relatives if the latter do not send remittances on a regular basis.
Adding financial responsibilities to the other responsibilities that women have such as child-rearing can lead to stress but can also provide women with the opportunity of gaining autonomy and experience in decision making.
Migrant women workers in the receiving countries are often seen as aliens as inferiors culturally and socially as a potential threat to stability. Migrants are perceived as taking away jobs from the native population despite the fact that migrant worker, especially women, usually perform the jobs that the native population shun.
Women migrant workers face major challenges in benefiting from trade unions and NGO activity as they are often not allowed to join or form union in destination countries.
How does migration affect the women who remain in the country of their origin?
(a) They find themselves co-residing with other male relatives who often restrict their activities outside the home.
(b) They often have more independence and autonomy.
(c) They do not take any additional responsibilities.
(d) They are generally not involved in any income generating activities.
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
Correct Answer: A. (a), (b) only
Solution:Migration affects women who remain in their country of origin in complex ways. While the passage discusses women taking on additional responsibilities and gaining autonomy, it also mentions the possibility of them co-residing with other male relatives who often restrict their activities outside the home.'
This co-residence can lead to a situation where despite potentially increased financial and domestic autonomy, their social and physical mobility may be curtailed, limiting their full engagement in public and economic life.