Navigating between Two Worlds: An Investigation on the Experiences of Bangladeshi Migrant Women in Denmark

Sakif, Mesbahul Islam ; Ferdous, Nafiya

4. semester

International Relations, MSc.

2025

2025-05-27

93 pages

This study explores the lives of Bangladeshi migrant women in Denmark, addressing significant gaps in research on South Asian women in Europe. The study uses thematic, and document analysis based on four theories: intersectionality, transnationalism, social capital and acculturation, as gathered from interviews with eight participants in Copenhagen. It is found that people’s identities in terms of gender, migration status, religion, education, socioeconomic class and language proficiency make it difficult for them to adapt, leading to labor market separation, cultural challenges and being excluded from institutions. The study highlights women’s agency in mobilizing transnational networks for emotional and economic support, while navigating Denmark’s restrictive immigration policies and gendered societal expectations. Bangladeshi women used different ways to adapt, ranging from becoming part of the culture to being excluded, due to language, religion and difficulties to be employed. Even with the challenges, they managed to stay strong by uniting within their ethnic groups and choosing which host-country customs to follow. This research helps migration studies by highlighting the experiences of Bangladeshi women that consider both their unique challenges and their lives in different countries. The paper underscores the need to move beyond homogenized narratives of migrant women, instead highlighting their multifaceted strategies for survival, belonging, and resistance in diasporic spaces.

Bangladeshi migrant women, Intersectionality, Transnationalism, Social Capital, Acculturation

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