Return and Reintegration Experiences of Senegalese Female Migrants

This study investigates the under-explored domains of intra-African return and reintegration of female returnees. Drawing on qualitative data from 23 semi-structured interviews with female returnees in Senegal in 2023, the research reveals how female migrants negotiate their reintegration with hegemonic norms of femininity and masculinity and how they position themselves in their families and communities after return. It elucidates how hegemonic norms, families and communities heavily shape the experiences of the women after returning. The findings emphasise the significance of gender-sensitive frameworks in academia and policymaking, advocating for a deeper understanding of the challenges and opportunities faced by women within African return and reintegration contexts.