By: Marielys Padua Soto
Introduction
Within the framework of Egyptian migration, contemporary research shows that there are significant educational disparities in the context of gender. Egyptian society is composed of a complex interplay of cultural norms, gender expectations, and migration dynamics which ultimately shape the educational trajectories of its migrant population. Notably, these dynamics often result in a distinct contrast between the educational progress of Egyptian migrant women and men. A recent report by the European Training Foundation (ETF) indicates that Egyptian migrant women have carved a progressive path characterized by educational empowerment and achievement, surpassing their male counterparts in various academic spheres.
Although there is limited gender-disaggregated data in Egypt, insights revealed from the report emphasize an important trend: a notable prevalence of higher education among Egyptian women engaging in migration. As these women traverse borders in pursuit of economic opportunities and educational growth, they bring with them a wealth of educational prowess that challenges conventional stereotypes and expectations. In contrast, the EFT report highlights that Egyptian male migrants showcase a comparatively lower educational trajectory. The education levels of migrant Egyptian men appear to vary, hinting at differences in educational opportunities and expectations between genders. These differences highlight the complex ways that gender intersects with education in Egypt, especially in the context of migration.
Photo Credits:Marielys Padua Soto
Gender and Migration in Egypt:
An Overview
According to a 2023 policy brief by Adam Eddouss, Egypt has a long history of migration, with both men and women migrating for different reasons, including employment, education, and family reunification. However, gender has consistently played a significant role in shaping international migration trends worldwide. Traditionally, male-dominated labor migration has been prevalent, with many Egyptian men seeking job opportunities in the Gulf countries and Europe, often abandoning their families. This phenomenon has not only affected the dynamics of family life worldwide, but it has also contributed to the feminization of migration, as more women have begun to migrate independently in search of better economic prospects and educational opportunities. Within the Egyptian context, however, the decision for a woman to migrate is rarely purely individual or based solely on economic factors. The Migration Drivers Report by the European Union Agency for Asylum showed that it must be comprehended within a broader context that accounts for the influence of family and society. The International Labor Organization has found that these two elements shape international migration choices through social customs and practices that might attach stigma to the movement of women, with many finding themselves in vulnerable positions, often working in low-paying and precarious jobs in the informal sector, such as domestic work and caregiving, without adequate legal protections. Despite these challenges, many migrant women from Egypt have demonstrated resilience and resourcefulness, actively contributing to their families' well-being and the development of their communities through their education and income abroad.
Another report by the Economic Research Forum indicates that internal migration, in contrast, is seldom driven by educational reasons. Instead, Egyptian women primarily relocate to be with family and for marriage, and men relocate particularly for employment reasons. Despite education not being the primary motive for internal migration, it can, however, still impact educational opportunities for Egyptian children. Internal migration patterns in Egypt predominantly involve movement from rural to urban areas. The demographic most involved are adults. Notably, the children of individuals involved in rural-to-urban migration exhibit prolonged school attendance and a higher likelihood of completing secondary or advanced education compared to the children of those who stay in rural areas.
Gendered Educational Disparities of Egyptian Migrants
According to the European Training Foundation’s report, there is a scarcity of detailed data specific to gender in migration that can offer a comprehensive depiction and classification of female Egyptian migration. Nonetheless, studies have highlighted a prominent attribute among Egyptian female migrants: a comparatively higher level of education relative to their male counterparts. a minority of Egyptian women partake in migration, yet those who do often boast superior educational achievements. The ETF report suggests that approximately 80% of repatriated Egyptian migrant women held advanced skill sets. Regarding language proficiency, for instance, a striking 87.6% of women communicated in at least one foreign language besides Arabic, while 43.4% of male returnees reported a lack of foreign language skills. Furthermore, the ETF's analysis of Egyptian women’s primary fields of study or expertise revealed a prevalence of educational science, followed by health and humanities. Another pertinent aspect to emphasize within this context is that while Egyptian men commonly migrate to Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries where family reunification is restricted, a significant number of Egyptian migrant women accompany their spouses to Western nations or independently migrate in pursuit of economic prospects or educational endeavors, with over half of this demographic possessing university-level education.
The report further suggests that intentions to migrate are influenced by several key factors. For example, a majority of men expressed a desire to migrate, whereas only 24.4% of women shared this aspiration. Marital status also influenced migration intentions, as single individuals exhibited a greater inclination to migrate compared to their married or engaged counterparts. Moreover, the level of education emerged as a crucial determinant, with a clear correlation between higher education levels and a heightened inclination to migrate. This relationship can be attributed to the economic constraints faced by individuals with lower levels of education, which limits their resources in order to migrate abroad as well as the limited job prospects for those with advanced education, as evidenced by the high unemployment rates among recent university graduates in Egypt according to the International Organization for Migration’s report. Furthermore, a substantial majority of potential male migrants indicated independent decision-making, while a significant percentage of potential female migrants expressed shared decision-making. All of these variables demonstrate the correlation between gender, education, and migration and their impacts on decision making when embarking in migratory journeys abroad. However, further studies are needed within the Egyptian context to acquire additional gender-disaggregated migration data to develop a better understanding of this subfield.
Conclusion
Gender and education within the context of Egyptian migration highlight the significant disparities that exist between male and female migrants. As previously mentioned, the migration landscape in Egypt has long been influenced by traditional gender roles, with male-dominated labor migration historically prevailing. However, the evolving social dynamics have led to a shift, resulting in an increasing trend of independent migration among Egyptian women seeking improved economic prospects and educational opportunities. Studies have highlighted a considerable prevalence of higher education among Egyptian female migrants, as opposed to their male counterparts. These educational disparities highlight the need for comprehensive data on gender-specific trends in Egypt. Furthermore, they also emphasize the critical importance of addressing gender-based inequalities to promote an environment that prioritizes educational parity for all migrant individuals.
Author’s Bio:
Marielys Padua Soto is an MA student of the Center for Migration and Refugee Studies at The American University in Cairo. She is a multilingual lawyer and humanitarian professional with a strong passion for addressing the challenges faced by migrants, refugees, and indigenous peoples.
References
- Eddouss, Adam. “Gender and Migration in Egypt: Searching for the Independent Migrant Woman’s Voice.” Baker Institute, 22 Mar. 2023, bakerinstitute.org/research/gender-and-migration-egypt-searching-independent-migrant-womans-voice.
- European Training Foundation, The Contribution of Human Resources Development to Migration Policy in Egypt (Cairo: European Training Foundation, 2007)
- ILO - International Labor Organization. “Refugees and the Egyptian Labour Market: An Analysis of the Potential Role of Employers’ Organizations.” Report: Refugees and the Egyptian Labour Market: An Analysis of the Potential Role of Employers’ Organizations, 25 Oct. 2021, ilo.org/global/programmes-and-projects/prospects/countries/egypt/WCMS_824111/lang--en/index.htm.
- IOM Publications. (n.d.). Egypt Labour Market Report. https://publications.iom.int/system/files/pdf/egypt_labour_market_report.pdf
- Katharine M. Donato and Donna Gabaccia. “The Global Feminization of Migration: Past, Present, and Future.” Org, 2 Mar. 2017, www.migrationpolicy.org/article/global-feminization-migration-past-present-and-future.
- Migration Drivers Report - Egypt as Country of Origin.” EUAA - European Union Agency for Asylum, July 2022, europa.eu/sites/default/files/publications/2022-08/2022_07_MDR_Egypt_Origin_EN.pdf.
- Mohamed, R. (2019, December 10). Moving to opportunity: Internal Migration and education in Egypt. Economic Research Forum (ERF). https://theforum.erf.org.eg/2019/12/08/moving-opportunity-internal-migration-education-egypt/
