Female and foreign: An intersectional exploration of the experiences of skilled migrant women in Qatar

Abstract

This article explores how the intersection of gender and foreignness shapes the experiences of skilled migrant women. Drawing on interviews with skilled migrant women working in Qatar, we situate their experiences in institutional, organizational and sociocultural terms to show how the intersection is articulated and mobilized to subordinate, marginalize and exclude them in work and social spaces. Findings show that the intersection is used to reinforce the status of the women as outsiders to the country (foreignness) and its cultural order (gender), resulting in structural and qualitative differences in the experiences of the group. In highlighting their nuanced experiences, we contribute to debates about gender, skilled migration and work in the Middle East. We also contribute to intersectionality debates by expanding the conceptual limits and analytical use of social categories of difference to explain experiences of work and unpack the simultaneity of subject positioning within institutional, organizational and sociocultural dynamics.

Highly-Skilled Migrants, Gender, and Well-Being in the Eindhoven Region. An Intersectional Analysis

“…Together with Nash (2008), Kynsilehto (2011), Riaño (2011), Rodriguez and Scurry (2019), this study challenges the existing idea of discrimination and privilege in migration studies by placing intersectionality across different scales. By showing how the same subject with intersected identities could embody both discrimination and privilege, we argue that privilege is a relational and situational concept.…”

Mobilities in the Labyrinth: Pressuring the Boundaries of Women’s Careers

“…As for mobility, women are at a disadvantage and face restrictions (COHEN, DUBERLEY and RAVISHANKAR, 2015;KEMP and RICKETT, 2018;RODRIGUEZ and SCURRY, 2019;SANG and CALVARD, 2019). There is apparent gender neutrality when it comes to qualified professionals, especially for geographic mobility, whether through migration or expatriation (voluntary or organizational).…”

“…These boundaries are manifested by restrictions on freedom (FERNANDO and COHEN, 2014;COHEN, DUBERLEY and RAVISHANKAR, 2015;KEMP and RICKETT, 2018) in some countries, and by the reaffirmation of privileges in others (RODRIGUEZ and SCURRY, 2019). Other examples of boundaries are family settings, expectations related to motherhood and care activities for children and the elderly -which are socially attributed to women -, the organizational glass ceiling and the low representation in leadership positions.…”

Mobilidades no labirinto: tensionando as fronteiras nas carreiras de mulheres

“…The spheres are distinguished from each other by four main contexts: a) global; b) society and culture; c) origin; and d) work (MAYRHOFER, MEYER and STEYRER, 2007). Although gender is an issue discussed in the context 'society and culture' (MAYRHOFER, MEYER and STEYRER, 2007;COHEN, DUBERLEY and RAVISHANKAR, 2015), it is also present in others since both the context of the origin (ANDREWS and SHAHROKNI, 2014;FERNANDO and COHEN, 2014) and of work (including new configurations that emerge as a result of international mobility) (KEMP and RICKETT, 2018;RODRIGUEZ and SCURRY, 2019;SANG and CALVARD, 2019), reveal careers with distinct tasks and challenges for men and women. These contexts are marked by gendered historical constructions and the dynamics of mobility and immobility.…”

“…Thus, the growing discussion on gender differences in building international careers (FERNANDO and COHEN, 2014;COHEN, DUBERLEY and RAVISHANKAR, 2015;KEMP and RICKETT, 2018;RODRIGUEZ and SCURRY, 2019;SANG and CALVARD, 2019), has evidenced that societies, organizations, and careers are structured in gendered contexts. Also, there is a gap in studies that connect career, mobility, and gender (referring mainly to women).…”