178 Empowerment through migration: Zimbabwean migrant women resisting vulnerability through agency

Abstract PTH 5: Exclusion and Discrimination, B307 (FCSH), September 4, 2025, 15:15 - 16:09 Background Migration is often framed as a process of vulnerability, particularly for young migrant girls who face risks such as early child marriage and gender-based violence (GBV). However, this study challenges these dominant narratives by portraying migration as an act of agency and empowerment. Focusing on Zimbabwean migrant women in Musina, South Africa, this research explores how migration serves as an escape from oppressive socio-cultural structures, enabling self-determination rather than reinforcing vulnerability. Methods This qualitative study employs in-depth interviews and narrative analysis to explore the lived experiences of two Zimbabwean migrant women. One of them transitioned from a service user to a service provider, demonstrating how mobility can foster resilience and self-sufficiency. The research traces their journeys, the challenges they encountered, and the strategies they used to reclaim autonomy in a new socio-political landscape. Findings The findings reveal that migration provided these women with opportunities to resist and leave forced early marriages and to avoid GBV. Their experiences challenge the prevailing narrative of migrant women as passive victims, instead highlighting their capacity to exercise agency in pursuit of safety and independence. The transition from service user to service provider indicates the potential for migrants to make meaningful contributions to host communities and to support others facing similar struggles. Conclusion This study emphasises the need to reframe migration as a pathway to empowerment. By recognising migrant women as active agents of change, policies and interventions can shift towards creating supportive environments rather than perpetuating victimhood narratives. In line with the conference theme, this research advocates for an inclusive approach that acknowledges the resilience, strength, and contributions of migrant women in fostering a healthier, more equitable world.