Elizabeth Castro on Saskia Sassen article titled “Women’s Burden”

One of the main points the author tries to explain is how the growth in unemployment leads/connects to a significant source of profit for companies. As more individuals are without jobs, they seek ways to earn money. In order to increase the flow of money within the global economy system various governmental institutions support cross-border employment.

Women who are often affected by SAPs take many of these jobs. They leave their family behind and become victims of illegal trafficking, prostitution or become foreign domestic maids. We’ve talked about how female migrants from third world countries migrate to a wealthy country and most of the money they earn is sent back to their native country. Sassen makes a connection with these issues and she points out how the government becomes dependent on their earnings. The author describes this as a feminization of survival. She explains how households and whole communities are increasingly dependent on women for their survival. Not only is the government dependent on them but also the companies who employ these women. I agree with her because one can compare this with the United States and Latin America. There is data showing that migrants send home three times more money than countries receive in development aid.

            In order for these companies/ enterprises to keep making profit, the labor force earnings need to be less than average in poor countries. Women are becoming the majority to migrate for labor. The sex industry is one of many to profit. According to Sassen, 4 million people were trafficked in 1998 producing a profit of seven billion for criminal groups. These criminal groups often organized in areas of high unemployment rate. Many of these criminal groups often force women into prostitution. It does not surprise me how the government allows such groups to form. They seem to turn the blind eye as long as the increase in money keeps flowing in.

            In Kenya, child sex tourism is increasing. Sassen talks about the expansion of the entertainment industry and thereby of tourism as a development strategy. She states increase in tourism becomes a source of government revenue. According the an article written by Tonny Onyulo, tourism contributes about 10 percent to Kenya’s gross domestic product. He states that European travelers come to the city in search of girls ranging from 12 to 18 years old. Poverty is the main reason of child sex tourism. Due to this problem, many parents urge their children to become involved. For example, Emily, 10 years of age, was pressure by her aunt to engage in sex with white men to help pay for family expenses. Unaware of the consequences of unpredicted sex, she was diagnosed with HIV.

https://www.pri.org/stories/2016-12-08/child-sex-trade-booming-kenyan-port-city

What is the emotional toll of these migrant workers? I would like to know the names of some organizations who deal and help women overcome these issues of abuse.