Wednesday, September 5, 2007, "Women who Migrate; Men who Wait" at the August 30^th American Club

Professor Abbebe Addresses Audience

“Women who Migrate; Men who Wait” presented by Eritrean anthropologist, Prof. Abebbe Kifleyesus, was the topic of the monthly American Club event on August 30, 2007. Over 150 participants attended. The audience listened with rapt attention as the Professor wove his presentation like a story line, describing in the first part of his presentation general migration trends among Africans, Asians and Europeans. The second half of Professor Abbebe’s lecture focused on the impact that Eritrean economic migrants, in particular women, have on their families left behind.  

Based on personal interviews with 257 Eritrean women who have migrated to the Middle East to work as domestics , Prof. Abbebe’s  preliminary research indicates that Eritrean women  generally are more generous and consistent than their male counterparts in sending remittances home to their families.  His findings also indicate that although women migrants generally earn less than the men, they remit a much higher percentage of their overseas salaries.  Women are also more likely to bring home an array of gifts and clothing, as well as money, for their families.  Professor Abbebe noted that by breaking from traditional family roles to travel overseas and become primary wage earners, these women workers are also assuming greater power and influence in family decision-making at home. 

Professor Abbebe’s lecture was followed by a lively question-and-answer period with the audience,  discussing  a wide range of questions such as the impact of long separations on family relationships and marriages.