Consequences of Female Migration for Families in Tanzania

Abstract

This is a descriptive study of consequences of migration for families in areas of origin in Iringa region, Tanzania. The study involved interviews with ten families in Iringa and ten female migrants from Iringa working as domestic workers in Dar es Salaam. Families reported no improvements in financial status following their daughters’ migration. This observation challenges the popular view that the decision by a family member to migrate contributes to their household’s increased income and improved living standards. Whereas migration has not improved household income, it has negatively impacted on migrants’ families in rural areas. These impacts range from health, social to economic shortfalls evidenced in, for example, having to care for the HIV positive returning migrants and their fatherless children. Migrants’ failure to improve their families’ livelihoods is attributed to among other factors lack of terms of service attached to the recruitment and small salary paid to them. The study recommends formulation and effective implementation of policies to protect domestic workers rights.

Keywords: Female migration, Iringa, migration-development, Tanzania