Nineteenth International Conference on Diversity in Organizations, Communities & Nations

Abstract

People change their domiciles in search of better living conditions, for recreation, or for discoveries through adventures. In the past, trade was a key reason for migration. Sometimes, movement is not intentionally desired. National and local tragedies like war, famine, economic mismanagement, political unrest, and other forms of instabilities, have brought about displacement and migration. Migration may be intra-state or inter-state. Race, gender, and other identity categories have been vestiges of bias against, and the domination of migrants, to exclude or marginalize them. This study examines the lot of females as migrants within West African States in selected Yoruba Nollywood films.The findings include that Yoruba film producers do not bring to the fore enough the importance of proper documentation about migrants; that the West African frontiers are porous; that language-barriers affect the welfare of migrants; and that females suffer worse conditions in form of rape, forced labor, spousal violence and child-care responsibilities. These challenges are threats to the very purpose of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). As such, there should be proper policing at the frontiers that detail and effectively document and monitor the few individuals or groups of migrants that a country of refuge can manage. There should also be recognition and acceptance of certificates possessed by citizens of an ECOWAS state in any of the participating states. Additionally, financial aid should be given to unemployed migrants to become self-employed. Finally, forced displacement must be drastically reduced by national leaders.