Women’s Empowerment in Migration Index (WEMI): Do we need another index for women empowerment?

Abstract

Evidence on the number of migrant women affected by forced labour and human trafficking is scant. In this presentation, we describe a conceptual framework and key elements of a Women’s Empowerment in Migration Index (WEMI) that aims to reflect the multiple dimensions of agency of female migrants. We believe that WEMI will be integral to monitoring progress towards SDG 8.7 on eradicating forced labour, modern slavery, and human trafficking. Following development, the study aims to analyze two hypotheses: (i) access to information facilitated by social networks increases migrant women’s collective and intrinsic agency; (ii) higher women’s empowerment contributes to better psychological wellbeing and life satisfaction for migrant women. The WEMI is currently being tested in Bangladesh, in districts with high international out-migration of women to West Asian countries, including the garment sector in Jordan and as domestic care workers in Lebanon.