Can Money Buy Them Power? A Re-Evaluation of Women's Transnational Labor Migration and Their Household Empowerment in Sri Lanka

Abstract

Conflicting arguments have been raised as to whether or not women migration brings about empowerment. This study is an attempt to determine this. The findings show that while there is no doubt that being the breadwinner and provider of the family brought about economic empowerment to women, other over riding factors tended to downplay this to a great. Traditional gender values and social order were challenging issues which lessened the transient empowerment gained through migration. It is the authors view that family support and acceptance are pre conditions for migrants to maintain their status.