Intersectional dis/contents in migration: Thai women in Belgium, Belgian men in Thailand

Gender Lecture Series 2026-2027

The scholarly literature on highly gendered migration phenomena has widely documented how dis/contents can propel people to move out of their countries. Once in their receiving countries, these individuals undergo several challenges and personal adjustments contingent on their differing social positions in global reproductive system/s. Why and how do dis/contents take shape? How do they deal with them? Drawing from two qualitative studies conducted in Belgium (2012-2015) and in Thailand (2018-2023) respectively, this presentation brings to the fore the intersectional dis/contents of Thai women in Belgium and their Belgian men counterparts in Thailand. The former (mostly marriage migrants) lament about family-related issues and labour market incorporation, whereas the latter (mostly retired men) complain about immigration policies and social security matters. Through the lens of intersectionality, these dis/contents appear not only gendered but also generational (age) and classed. They also stem from larger structural forces.  

Speaker Bio: Asuncion Fresnoza-Flot is tenured associate researcher (chercheuse qualifiée) of the Belgian Fund for Scientific Research (F.R.S.-FNRS) and senior lecturer (maîtresse d'enseignement) at the Laboratory of Anthropology of Contemporary Worlds (LAMC) of the Université libre de Bruxelles (ULB) in Belgium. Since 2004, she has been working on migration-related issues and phenomena in Europe-Asia social spaces, notably involving the Philippines, Thailand, France, Belgium, and the Netherlands. Her recent works include the edited volume Situated mixedness. Understanding migration-related intimate diversity in Belgium (Routledge 2025). Her research focuses on the following themes: family, gender, migration, and mobility.

This event will take place in person and online via Zoom. Participation is open to the public and free of charge.