Women's experiences of return migration in the post-Soviet Kyrgyzstan

Abstract

Current day labour migration from Kyrgyzstan to Russia is mostly influenced by the economic needs of Kyrgyzstani citizens (Marat, 2009). Despite the vast amount of research on Central Asian labour migration to Russia, little is known about the experiences of women who have returned from labour migration having worked in Russia. Alongside this, history and the impact of the Soviet Union has also not been addressed in relation to the current return migration in academic scholarship and initiatives. Through the interviews conducted with five participants, this thesis addresses the experiences of southern Kyrgyzstani women who migrate to Russia as well as the complexities of their return. Considering my own experiences in relation to migration, this thesis contributes to broaden perceptions of women migrants, women’s struggles and forms of resistance that they negotiate while crossing borders between nation-states and engaging in gendered labour markets. Drawing on the works of decolonial scholars (Maldonado-Torres, 2007, 2016; Tlostanova, 2008, 2010, 2012) this thesis adds to an understanding of coloniality in the practice of migration.