Agency as Capabilities: Latin American Female Domestic Workers in Andalusia

What is it about?

This paper discusses the experiences of Latin American female migrant domestic workers (FMDWs) in Andalusia, Spain, through the lens of the capability approach. Based on 25 in-depth interviews and a focus group with FMDWs, we examine their experiences of (dis)empowerment and attainment of capabilities to achieve the lives they value. Our findings show that these women possess high levels of critical consciousness regarding their situation and exert their agency as subtle forms of adaptation. However, an increase in their capabilities, freedoms and well-being is severely limited by global structures of inequality and constraining migration and labor regimes in Spain.

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Why is it important?

Our findings show that these women possess high levels of critical consciousness regarding their situation and exert their agency as subtle forms of adaptation. However, an increase in their capabilities, freedoms and well-being is severely limited by global structures of inequality and constraining migration and labor regimes in Spain.