328 Gendered harm and temporary labour migration in the Asia Pacific - Presentation abstract

Sep 30, 2026

This presentation examines how women in temporary labour migration in the Asia Pacific experience gendered harm. Temporary migration creates conditions of precarity that expose women to gendered insecurities, increasing susceptibility to harm, violence, and ill-health. Against claims that increased participation supports gender equality and sustainable development, the presentation argues for knowledge on how gendered harm occurs as women or partners cross international borders. It reports a scoping review of 2014–2024 academic and grey literature using an inclusive definition of interpersonal and structural harm.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages2

Reading Time5 min

AccessFree to download

Aim

Methods

Results

Conclusion

2nd World Congress on Migration, Ethnicity, Race & Health Abstract Book vi45 Abstract citation ID: ckaf180.125 328 Gendered harm and temporary labour migration in the Asia Pacific Gemma Tarpey-Brown1, Sarah Bergman1, Cathy Vaughan1, Karen Block1 1University Of Melbourne, CARLTON, Australia OP 16: Exclusion and Discrimmination 2, B207 (FCSH), September 4, 2025, 13:30-14:30 Aim: This presentation aims to examine how women involved in temporary forms of labour migration experience gendered harm in the Asia Pacific. Temporary labour migration in the Asia Pacific creates conditions of considerable precarity for women, who are exposed to a range of gendered insecurities that leave them susceptible to harm, violence and ill-health. Efforts to enhance women’s participation in labour migration are seen by some as a mechanism to promote gender equality and sustainable development. In light of these efforts, there is a critical need to build knowledge of how women involved in labour migration may experience gendered harm as they or their partners move across international borders. Methods: We conducted a comprehensive scoping review of academic and grey literature published between 2014-2024 and used an expansive definition of gendered harm inclusive of interpersonal and structural forms of harm and violence. The review identified 43 relevant studies for inclusion. vi46 European Journal of Public Health, Vol. 35, Supplement 6, 2025 Results: Studies focused on migrant domestic labour in Hong Kong, Singapore and Thailand though some research explored women’s experiences of sex work, factory work and agricultural labour. Thereview identified a broad spectrum of gendered violence was perpetrated against women engaged in temporary labour migration. Women experienced multiple and overlapping types of violence resulting in significant physical, mental, and sexual and reproductive health issues. Harm was perpetrated by multiple actors including employers, health professionals, migration and employment agents, intimate partners, and the state. Conclusion: Findings implicate migration, health and social systems within patterns of harm and emphasise the importance of developing transnational protection mechanisms to prevent gendered violence against women in the context of precarious labour migration. ,

FAQs

What is the main aim of the presentation?

To examine how women involved in temporary labour migration in the Asia Pacific experience gendered harm, including how harm arises as people move across international borders.

How was the evidence gathered?

A comprehensive scoping review was conducted using academic and grey literature published between 2014 and 2024, using an expansive definition of gendered harm that includes interpersonal and structural forms.

What does the review find about the types and sources of harm?

The review identifies a broad spectrum of gendered violence against women in temporary labour migration, with multiple and overlapping violence leading to physical, mental, sexual, and reproductive health issues. Harm is perpetrated by employers, health professionals, migration and employment agents, intimate partners, and the state.

What is the conclusion and key implication?

The findings implicate migration, health, and social systems in patterns of harm and highlight the importance of developing transnational protection mechanisms to prevent gendered violence in precarious labour migration contexts.

Sep 30, 2026

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