Geography & Environment Publications
Discrimination by Default? Gender Concerns in South African Migration Policy
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
Fall 2001
Volume
48
Issue
3
Journal
Africa Today
First Page
73
Last Page
90
Abstract
This paper presents a gender analysis of the South African government's proposed new policy on international migration, identifying a number of areas of implicit gender discrimination. Such "discrimination by default" is of more than academic relevance, having important implications for national and regional development. Research undertaken by the Southern African Migration Project indicates a growing "feminization" of migration to South Africa from the Southern African region, as well as gender-specific motives and patterns of migration. If migration is to be effectively managed, such realities must be taken into account. The paper concludes by advocating a development-centered, "house- hold strategies" approach, both in understanding international migration to South Africa and in the further development and implementation of legislation.