Gendered Mobility and Transnational Marriage: The Experiences of Brazilian Women Married with Italian Men

In an era where global mobility is increasingly gendered, the experiences of women in transnational marriages provide a valuable perspective through which to examine the intersection of migration, social roles and inequality. This research aims to investigate the gender dimensions of mobility within the migratory trajectories of Brazilian women in transnational marriages with Italian men, with a particular focus on the intersection of marriage and motherhood in shaping women's experiences. It will also examine the motivations behind migration, the power dynamics within households, cultural adaptation, integration, care responsibilities, participation in the labour market, and the role of support networks in everyday life. The research adopts a qualitative approach based on feminist epistemology and Grounded Constructivist Theory. Data were generated through semi-structured, in-depth interviews with twenty Brazilian women selected to reflect a range of ages, migration histories and family backgrounds. The findings highlight how Brazilian women’s decisions to migrate are influenced by multiple, intersecting motivations, how dependency shapes marriage dynamics and the everyday negotiation of power, how motherhood can facilitate integration while also intensifying the challenges of care and isolation. The women's narratives further reveal their agency in sustaining transnational ties, transmitting cultural practices and creating hybrid spaces of belonging, even in contexts of inequality. By centering women’s voices, this study contributes to debates on gendered mobilities, transnational families and care work.