Gendered smuggler-migrant interactions in the Central Sahel

This snapshot analyses gendered smuggler-migrant interactions in the Central Sahel. It examines how gender and age influence contacts and perceptions between migrants and smugglers in Central Sahel (Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso). A dedicated section on women smugglers, though drawn from a small subsample, provides preliminary insights into their roles in smuggling. The snapshot draws on a dataset of 1,550 surveys conducted between May and August 2024 with migrants who used smugglers in Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso. 8% of all respondents used the services of women smugglers. This is part of a MMC publication series examining human smuggling in the Central Sahel.