ABSTRACT
This chapter describes women's experiences of the various stages of the journey to Europe, gendered migration strategies, relationships with other migrants, with local populations and with immigration authorities and police. Some women played on the idea of their vulnerability to advance their migratory strategies. The interconnections between gender, migration, violence and insecurity have been highlighted through research in various regions of the world. The chapter examines gendered representations of male and female refugees, and how the constructions of these representations contribute to individual refugee's security/insecurity. As an increasing number of European Union (EU) member states and neighbouring countries, such as Serbia and Macedonia, attempt to close their borders to prevent the passage or influx of refugees, the journey becomes more difficult and more dangerous. Both in Greece and in the refugee camps around Calais, the refugees interviewed for the research were living in situations of limbo, waiting to travel onwards and not sure whether or not they would make it.
