The London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine conducted a study for the Freedom Fund on migration patterns of girls and young women from the Amhara Region, Ethiopia, focusing on decision-making processes, risk perception, and protective factors associated with migration. The study “They changed their lives because they went to Arab countries”. Local perceptions of women’s overseas migration for domestic labour in Amhara region aimed to understand how communities obtain and interpret migration information and identify factors influencing migration decisions. Research methods included focus group discussions and interviews in four villages near Hayk.
Findings suggest widespread acceptance of migration for domestic work abroad, despite awareness of risks. Economic opportunities, family expectations, and perceptions of luck influence decision-making. Legal and illegal migration distinctions are blurry, with varying experiences reported. Protective factors include cultural knowledge, language skills, financial planning, and social resources. Financial outcomes often measure successful migration, with failure prompting re-migration attempts. These results will strengthen the design and implementation of the Freedom Fund Hotspot programme in Ethiopia.
Click here or on the image below to access the report.
