To Remain or to Return: The Role of Gender, Family Structures, and Uncertainty in Contemporary Kyrgyz-Russian Labour Migration

This paper explores how labour migration flows between Kyrgyzstan and Russia influence Kyrgyz family structures, gender norms and perceptions of uncertainty. I investigate the consequences for Kyrgyz society of mothers leaving their children behind to work abroad, of men returning from Russia to find new ways to maintain their roles as sole providers of the family, and the societal stigma faced by women who migrate for economic reasons. These topics are drawn from my ethnographic research conducted in August of 2023 with migrant workers and specialists working at international development organisations in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. The primary goal of this study is to investigate Kyrgyz labour migration patterns to better understand fear and aspirations towards leaving the home country and returning are justified and pursued, considering the added uncertainties stemming from forced mobilizations currently targeting Central Asians (and specifically Kyrgyz) in Russia.