The Women on the Move Collection on Open Research Europe explores female migration across different time periods and disciplines, creating dialogue between various approaches and historical contexts. This Collection, set up for the WeMov COST Action (European Cooperation in Science and Technology Action CA19112) reveals the significant contributions women migrants have made to both their origin and destination countries throughout history and in contemporary times.
The Women on the Move Collection aims to increase visibility for women migrants. Traditional migration research has often overlooked gender considerations, focusing predominantly on men and family units. This Collection addresses this gap by showcasing women’s active and independent roles in global migration.
This blog post highlights three recent publications from the Women on the Move Collection on Open Research Europe.
Transnational patterns, social networks and self-help organisations for migrant women
It is important to develop self-help structures from a transnational perspective to support the inclusion of migrant women escaping their home countries due to war, violence, or various vulnerabilities. Mobilizing self-help organizations by intersecting transnationalism and gender is a valuable approach for a practice-oriented pedagogy aimed at the most vulnerable women and those already empowered, such as community leaders, network facilitators, other migrants, and the broader native population.
In this Research Article, researchers from the Roma Tre University and the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences investigate how refugee women in Bulgaria and Italy organize self-help structures and build social networks through transnational practices to empower themselves and connect with local communities. The authors analyze patterns of social network creation among these women, focusing on mutual support and empowerment across ethnic and gender lines, with the findings going on to inform inclusive practices that promote the empowerment of refugee women.
Read the full Research Article here.
Materiality of Memorialization: Mapping Migrant Women’s Landmarks in Europe
Historically, women have achieved public recognition and built significant careers, often as a result of their migration. This Research Article explores how renowned migrant women are commemorated across various European countries, enhancing their visibility through street names, plaques, statues, and monuments. It details the methods, findings, and challenges involved in establishing the Register of Migrant Women Landmarks in Europe (RMWLE), a key component of the COST Action project “Women on the Move” (WEMov).
The Research Article examines the locations and contexts where these women are honored and how they are positioned within European nations, highlighting their marginal or token presence in urban spaces. It analyses the disparities between landmarks dedicated to female migrants and those honoring their male counterparts, revealing a pattern where migrant women are frequently overshadowed by non-migratory national figures. Ultimately, it advocates for a more inclusive representation of significant female figures worthy of celebration in European cities.
Read the full Research Article here.
Labour migration of young women from the village to the capital in Bulgaria: A case study of woman servantry in Vakarel
This essay explores the concept of female servantry in Bulgaria, focusing on the village of Vakarel, and emphasizes its significance in the early modernization of Bulgarian society throughout the first half of the twentieth century. It examines how servantry acted as a social mediator, promoting the dissemination of urban culture and shaping marriage strategies and family dynamics in rural areas, ultimately becoming an integral part of local cultural history.
Read the full Essay here.
Learn more about the Women on the Move Collection.
