Dr Bilesha Weeraratne Highlights the Socioeconomic Impact of Female Migration and Remittances

IPS Head of Migration and Urbanisation Policy Research, Dr. Bilesha Weeraratne, explored the socioeconomic impact of female migration and remittances at Catalysts of Change, a Women’s Month initiative organized by Amari Colombo in collaboration with Kaleidoscope and Savithri Rodrigo.

Presenting on “Women Migration: Empowering Migrant Women,” Dr. Weeraratne emphasized that not all women in Sri Lanka have equal opportunities in the domestic labour market, prompting many to seek employment abroad. She highlighted that female migrant workers, particularly those in lower-skilled job categories, remit a significant portion of their earnings, often leaving them with limited personal savings.

She noted that labour migration and related remittances have contributed to improved housing, better healthcare, enhanced nutrition, and greater educational opportunities for migrants’ children, ultimately driving upward social mobility. However, she also addressed key challenges faced by migrant women, including reintegration difficulties, compelled remigration, brain drain, and vulnerabilities in their destination countries.

Dr. Weeraratne further stressed the challenges faced by women left behind due to migration, as they often juggle multiple roles as mothers, heads of households, and career women, navigating unique socioeconomic pressures.