Abstract:
Return migration is the movement of emigrants back to their country of origin. The overall objective of this study is exploring the reintegration experiences of female returnee migrants from Saudi Arabia in the case of Bahir Dar city administration. To meet the objectives of the study, a qualitative research approach with phenomenological design was employed. The study area and participants were selected using purposive and snowball sampling techniques, respectively. To collect primary data in-depth interview was used for 10 participants since the data was saturated. The collected data were analyzed using thematic data analysis technique. The findings of the study implied that female returnee migrants faced different challenges such as social, health, economic and psychological challenges in reintegration and social adjustment process. To cope with their challenge they used humbleness, accepting the reality, being visionary, keeping virginity, saving, dependent on family, praying, reading Bible and Quran, working as a daily laborer, marriage and organizing in a group. Based on the findings of the study it was concluded that female returnee migrants from Saudi Arabia had experienced dozens of challenges with limited opportunities. Even if that is the fact, the opportunities they experienced are economic benefit and social capital. Finally, it was recommended that the government, non-governmental organizations, religious institutions and community leaders should have to work strongly for the safe living of female returnee migrants from Saudi Arabia.
Keywords: Return migration, reintegration opportunity, challenge and coping mechanism