“Hacemos trabajar el dinero” (We Make the Money Work): Power among Ecuadorian migrant women in England who maintain transnational remittance management relations

Abstract

This study positions itself within the mixed results of remittances for migrant women’s empowerment, exploring the power dynamics of an under-researched diaspora - Ecuadorian migrant women in England who engage in transnational Remittance Management Relations (RMRs). Two contributions are made. First, embracing the Gender Geographies of Power framework, this paper argues that power needs to be conceptualised as a dynamic and multidimensional process, giving prominence to the various expressions, realms, and forms of power within these RMRs, dimensions which have not been previously emphasised in this framework. Second, findings suggest that remittances can have positive power implications for migrant women who engage in RMRs as they convert remittances into different forms of power (capital), gain various forms of power (including empowerment), and decision-making capabilities. However, RMRs are not always free of conflict. The mismanagement of remittances and/or the abuse of implementation power by remittance managers, can result in the loss of economic power for women remitters, and in changes to their remittance practices.