Venezuelan women in Peru: Exploring the borders of gender, migration, place, culture, and work

• In Event: Migración internacional venezolana en las Américas: orígenes y desafíos (parte II)

Abstract

As the Peruvian economy has slowed in recent years, and as the country has experienced unprecedented migration from Venezuela in the past half-decade, an important – and yet unexplored – question is, to which jobs are Venezuelan women flowing in this country? Is there one area of work that is more common than others? An early hypothesis is that, given that in Latin America approximately 17% of the female work force of the region is employed in the domestic work sector, comprised of migrant women, often poorly educated and minorities, it is possible that this may be the primary – or at least, first -- destination for Venezuelan migrant women in Peru. This paper is based on the early phases of qualitative research in Peru on this subject; it seeks to begin to answer some of these questions, analysing how at the same time “place” and “culture” have bearing on where most Venezuelan women settle in their employment trajectory in this country. Through this research we hope to contribute to the conversation on gender, migration and labor, including the geographic, economic, and cultural backdrop that determine available options, answering questions such as: Is there any discrimination faced by Venezuelan women as they attempt to join the Peruvian market in general? Are they flowing mostly to the informal sector? Are there differences between their experiences and those of Peruvian women with similar levels of education and experience?

Author

• Leda M Pérez, Universidad del Pacífico