The paradox of north-south migration: Vulnerability and coping strategies of migrant women from northern Ghana

Abstract

Migration and vulnerability as social phenomena have existed over the years and have equally attracted several concerns from both local and international stakeholders who have been devising strategies to minimize the challenges associated with this social menace. Globally, vulnerabilities of migrant women are viewed as a major problem confronting most developing countries, especially countries in sub-Saharan Africa, where many factors and conditions have combined to perpetuate them. Utilizing qualitative data based on migrant women from the Upper East, Upper West, Savannah, Northeast and Northern Regions working in La Nkwantanang-Madina, the paper analyzes the vulnerabilities of this migrant group of women, identifies how the women cope, use their agency and improve their wellbeing in their new work environment. The paper also explores the strategies used by these migrant women to deal with their childcare problems at both the destination and origin. The major findings of the study show that migrant mother’s main vulnerabilities have to do with housing and language, which calls for the need to design and implement effective and efficient policies on housing for these vulnerable poor women and their children