Gendering the Central American Migrant Caravans: An Analysis of the Gender Dynamics within the Caravans

• In Event: International Migration Section Refereed Roundtables
  In Refereed Roundtable (60 minute): 08. Gendered processes in migration

Abstract

How do Central American migrant caravans reproduce gender dynamics and a gendered division of labor? Recent literature on the migrant caravans from Central America to the US has discussed their conceptualization, the context of their emergence, arrival, and the governments’ responses to them. Likewise, a few case studies have examined participants' experiences related to the hardships of the trip; however, a closer analysis of the gendered activities and the gendered division of labor within the caravans is yet to be conducted. In this context, feminist research has shown how migration is a gendered process and how it can change or accentuate gender dynamics and social constructions of gender. Drawing on feminist and migration studies and 23 in-depth semi-structured interviews with participants in the Central American migrant caravans, this paper examines the gender performances of men and women within the caravans. Findings reveal that during their participation, women and men performed activities that have been historically assigned to them. For instance, women carried out domestic chores and were seen as fragile and in need of protection. In turn, men took leadership positions and were responsible for guiding and protecting the group. The paper contributes to the literature on migrant caravans, migration, and feminist studies by showing how caravan participants from highly patriarchal societies continued to reproduce social constructions of gender and a gendered division of labor during the migratory journey. Given the frequency of caravans (more than 70), an analysis of how gender shapes the unique experiences of migrant women and men remains critical.

Author

• Rosario de la Luz Rizzo Lara, California State Univ-San Bernardino