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. 2022 Mar 21:5:100091.
doi: 10.1016/j.jmh.2022.100091. eCollection 2022.

Pervasive irregular migration and the vulnerabilities of irregular female migrants at Plumtree border post in Zimbabwe

Tsitsi Matose  1 , Gracsious Maviza  1 , Wilfred Njabulo Nunu  2   3
Affiliations

Pervasive irregular migration and the vulnerabilities of irregular female migrants at Plumtree border post in Zimbabwe

Tsitsi Matose et al. J Migr Health. .

Abstract

Background: Migration is a common and visible feature of global mobility where the driving factors would be the search for better livelihood opportunities. Due to economic hardships in Zimbabwe, women have also been noted to migrate to neighbouring countries in search of opportunities to look after their left-behind families. However, the COVID-19 restrictions and other state regulations have become facilitators of illicit migration as irregular migrants (including women) devise more complex means to traverse borders and gain access. This paper assesses the vulnerabilities and the lived realities of female irregular migrants between Zimbabwe and Botswana during the clandestine migration journeys.

Methods: A qualitative descriptive survey that targeted nineteen (19) participants was conducted using semi-structured and unstructured interviews. The participants included fifteen (15) Female irregular migrants and four (4) Key Informants who worked at Plumtree Border Post. The interviews were recorded, transcribed verbatim, coded and thematically analysed.

Results: Four vulnerabilities were reported/experienced by the participants: violence and robbery, Rape and sexual harassment, Psycho-emotional harassment, and health vulnerabilities in detention. The participants reported that these vulnerabilities are experienced at different levels of the migration process and deportation.

Conclusions: Female migrants are generally at risk as they are bound to be taken advantage of at different levels during migration and deportation. Therefore, there is a need to relook at the policies implemented at the ports and ensure women are subjected to humane treatment even during the deportation process.

Keywords: Abuse; Female irregular migrants; Migration; Plumtree; Vulnerabilities; Zimbabwe.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no competing interests. We wish to confirm that there are no known conflicts of interest associated with this publication and there has been no significant financial support for this work that could have influenced its outcome.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1.
Study Area Map.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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