How Labor Mobility Empowers Women, Like My Grandmothers, To Pursue New Horizons

When we talk about the migration opportunity, we often focus on the numbers: millions of workers needed in the aging North, millions of people from the youthful South seeking good jobs, hundreds of dollars of income gains for each dollar of philanthropy required. But what brings many of us to the mobility space are the stories of individual migrants that give a glimpse of what’s possible. I’m pleased to share a guest post from my colleague Alizah Merali that explores the role of global mobility in empowering women, both through the numbers and through her own family story. This post focuses on how migration empowers women from low- and middle-income countries but, as it suggests, there are also stories to tell about how addressing labor shortages in the care sector can enable more women in high-income countries to pursue their dreams.

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Global labor mobility is one of the most powerful tools for empowering women–I’ve seen it firsthand. Both my grandmothers moved from a small village in Tanzania, by themselves, in pursuit of opportunity. One settled in Canada and the other in the US, both being given the chance to work and earn money to support themselves and their families as single parents. They used legal immigration pathways, were supported by community organizations to find jobs, and benefitted from the support of the East African diaspora.

When done with intentionality and compassion, migration can create opportunities for women in low-income countries to thrive. This is particularly evident in the women-driven care sector – where demand for workers in high-income nations is skyrocketing due to aging populations. Countries such as Germany and Japan are facing critical workforce shortages in the care economy, and the EU estimates that 4.3M care jobs will need to be filled by 2035 (CEDEFOP). These shortages will not only affect eldercare and childcare, but will also impact women in high-income countries who rely on affordable care to remain in the workforce.

The economic case for women's labor mobility is staggering. In Nepal, for example, where female unemployment sits at 12.2% and where only 4 in 10 jobs are paid positions (World Bank), qualified women are waiting for opportunities that match their potential. When these women access international markets that need their skillset, they can earn conservatively 6x more than in their home countries (World Bank) – these earnings translate into better lives not just for themselves, but for their families and communities. Female migrant workers from Nepal contribute a remarkable 50% of all migrant remittances, which account for about 25% of the country's GDP (UN Women). Unlike their male counterparts who typically invest in property or businesses, women channel a higher percentage of their earnings into their children's education, healthcare, and household welfare (IOM) – highlighting the pivotal role they play in breaking cycles of poverty.

Beyond finances, migrating for work often challenges traditional gender roles. Women gain autonomy, skills, and decision-making power, influencing their communities when they return to their origin countries. Exposure to more gender-equal societies can shift perspectives on what’s possible, paving the way for broader social transformation. Take the Philippines and Indonesia, where women migrant workers are celebrated as economic heroes, inspiring future generations to reimagine their roles in society.

On paper, it seems like an easy equation – millions of women in low-income countries looking for work can be matched with the millions of job vacancies in high-income countries, particularly in the care sector. Yet the reality is far more complex. Beyond the obvious hurdles of language barriers, skill certifications, financing, and legal requirements, women migrants often face serious challenges that deserve honest examination. Data from the ILO shows that female domestic workers face some of the highest rates of workplace abuse and exploitation, especially in informal arrangements. We also see talented women – like college graduates from Uganda – being channeled into domestic work in Gulf states rather than roles that match their qualifications and aspirations. And then of course, there’s the profound personal cost of family separation, poignantly captured in Jason DeParle's A Good Provider Is One Who Leaves, which documents mothers working abroad while their children grow up without them. These are difficult tradeoffs that no one should have to make. However, the solution isn't to limit women's mobility, but rather to create better pathways: focusing on skilled job placements in OECD countries with stronger worker protections, and supporting women to make informed choices about their futures. As one Filipino mother told DeParle, the pain of separation was real, but the alternative – watching her children go hungry – was worse.

At TMF, we continue to learn how to build better systems that can both empower women AND meet critical labor needs. Global mobility is a transformative force for women, their families, and their societies – and depends on the collaboration of philanthropy, private capital, and public investment to simplify and expand pathways for labor mobility.

The optimistic, educated, and privileged person I am today is a direct product of the legal and supportive migration system that helped facilitate my grandmothers’ move from East Africa to North America. I’m excited to keep investigating this space in hopes of replicating their experience for more women around the world who want to move for opportunity.