ESCAPE OR ENDURE? How corruption fuels women's migration intentions

Corruption, gender, and migration are deeply interconnected, yet their intersection remains underexplored. This chapter examines how corruption shapes women’s migration experiences, from influencing aspirations in countries of origin to exacerbating vulnerabilities during transit and in destination countries. Drawing on existing literature and new empirical insights, the chapter highlights how corruption creates gendered barriers that disproportionately affect women. Using data from the AmericasBarometer, it investigates whether women’s experiences with bribery in key sectors influence their migration intentions. The findings indicate that exposure to corruption significantly increases migration aspirations, with women being particularly affected due to systemic inequalities and vulnerabilities. The data suggests that corruption in healthcare and municipal services has the most pronounced effect on women’s intention to migrate. The chapter underscores the need for a gender-sensitive approach to migration and anti-corruption policies. It also identifies critical research gaps, particularly regarding sexual corruption, which remains overlooked in large-scale surveys. Addressing corruption in migration governance requires recognizing its gendered dimensions to ensure that migration serves as a pathway to empowerment rather than exploitation. Without targeted interventions, corruption will continue to shape migration as both a driver and a persistent challenge in migrant experiences.