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Periodical article Periodical article Leiden University catalogue Leiden University catalogue WorldCat catalogue WorldCat
Title:Labour migration and HIV/AIDS: the case of Mangwe District in southern Zimbabwe
Author:Maphosa, FranceISNI
Year:2008
Periodical:Humanities Review Journal (ISSN 1596-0749)
Volume:8
Pages:1-9
Language:English
Geographic terms:Zimbabwe
South Africa
Subjects:labour migration
undocumented migrants
women migrants
AIDS
Abstract:This article examines labour migration from Mangwe District in southern Zimbabwe to South Africa and its relationship with the spread of HIV/AIDS both among migrants and among those left behind. Cross-border labour migration to South Africa is not a new phenomenon but what is new is its unprecedented scale and its feminization. Undocumented migrants are especially vulnerable to HIV infection because of their 'invisibility'. Many undocumented migrants cannot be absorbed into the formal labour market in the country of destination and as a result have to adopt survival strategies such as informal trading, acceptance of low-paid work, marriage and sex work. Labour migration to South Africa is circulatory in character and because of prevailing gender ideologies, women often do not control their own sexuality, within and without the home. They are therefore especially vulnerable to HIV infection. On the basis of interviews and group discussions with members of 150 households from Mangwe District, this study examines the feminization of labour migration to South Africa, migrants' status, survival strategies, living conditions, employment opportunities, and the marginalization of labour migrants, both in the host country and in their country of origin. Bibliogr. [ASC Leiden abstract]
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