Abstract

Mali is one of the economically poorest countries of the African continent, a situation worsened by a series of droughts. Under these circumstances, the disparities between urban and rural areas have caused a significant increase in the migratory movement of rural women towards cities and larger populated areas, in addition to the labour-searching exodus of men to cities and foreign countries. This project will study the social, cultural and economic consequences of women's migration on both the zone of origin and the receiving area, as well as on the women themselves. Part of the project will be the collection of data illustrating the phenomenon and its general implications. The results of the research will provide village committees with information to be used in guiding their activities for the benefit of rural women.

Post-Project Summary

The researchers surveyed 2 096 "maids" and 1 070 employers of maids in the cities of Bamako, Mopti, Segou and Sikasso; 254 women and girls who had in the past worked as maids; and 438 heads of families in the 35 villages where the maids came from. This quantitative part of the study was completed by interviews with the administrative authorities in the rural and urban milieux as well as with groups of maids. The questions focused on the structural causes and the cultural context of female migration; reception in the towns and the hiring process; the nature of the work, salaries, and types of employment; the town as perceived and the town as experienced; and the consequences of female migrations. The salaries received by the maids were for the most part very low, i.e., one-third of the minimum wage. Migration was looked upon unfavourably by most heads of household and resulted in reintegration difficulties. The study revealed that the exodus of women resulted from two main factors: poverty and the need to get themselves a dowry. In villages where women had a means of making money, and where girls did not have to worry about a dowry, the rate of female migration was much lower.

Recipient Institution(s)