Rural Female Youth Migration to Arab Countries and Socio Economic Transformation in Their Home of Origin: The Case of Hetosa Woreda, Arsi Zone

Abstract

This study focuses on the lives and challenges of female youth migrants from rural
Ethiopia to Arab countries on the one hand and soeio economic benefits they bring
to their home of origin on the other. It compares and contrasts the advantages and
disadvantages of the female youth migration, dri ving factors, and the new socio
economic transfonnations thai arise as a result of this migration. Using purposive
sampling for selecting the female youth migrants and their famil ies, laking imo
account the distance each kebele has from the woreda capital, the paper considers
only those who travelled to Arab Countries by legal means, through Bole Airport.
Focusing on Hetosa Woreda, in Arsi Zone, which is suspected to be among the
largest source of female youth migrants in Oromia Region, 40% of the female
youth migrants are forced to live for a prolonged lime. al least double of the years
they expect to stay in Arab Countries. About 30% of them are left empty handed
when they arrive home and are exposed to different problems. The paper found
that only 30% of the migrants achieved what they envisaged to have and were able
to enjoy economic improvement at their home of origin. As a result send ing a
daughter to Arab Country has created a sense of competition among parents.