In this article, I apply a critical discourse analysis method to examine gendered narratives regarding poverty, social inequalities and gender relations in order to understand how migration reproduces the sexist social structures. I argue that migration imposes constraints on women's agency, contrary to popular notions that women's empowerment is achieved largely through the process of migration (in the form of resource gains and improved social position). Conversely, I believe that migration increases the burden of patriarchy on women, which calls for a sensitive negotiation of gender roles. Drawing on accounts of “subjective knowledge” and feminist theories, I aim to problematize the credibility of migration as an effective development strategy, revealing how widely held views, which tend to polarize the implications of migration as good or bad, are supported by a narrow view. frame of reference, namely economic growth or neoliberalism. I believe that a more representative assessment requires the adoption of a human development paradigm which, through its particular attention to strengthening the capacities of individuals, offers conceptual space to consider other determinants of quality of life such as the intersection of gender with race and class. This is necessary to overcome overly simplistic conceptions, which have serious repercussions when translated into social policy. For example, policies aimed at reducing income poverty may divert attention and resources from studying other forms of deprivation, involving social and political aspects, which might reveal more notable consequences. For this reason, I will focus on the exploitation of migrant care workers and examine how globalization intensifies demands on countries...... middle of paper ......: recent global evidence. OECD Development Centre. Lutz, H. (2011a). Chapter 2: The household as a global market for women's labor. In H. Lutz (Author) & D. Shannon (Trans.), The new maids: Transnational women and the care economy (pp. 18-30). New York: Zed Books. Lutz, H. (2011b). Chapter 8: Migrant women in the trap of globalization? In H. Lutz (Author) & D. Shannon (Trans.), The new handmaids: Transnational women and the care economy (pp. 185-194). New York: Zed Books. Milanovic, B. (2012). Global inequalities: from class to place, from proletarians to migrants. World Politics, 3 (2), 125-133. Sutherland, P. (2013). Migration is development. Retrieved from Project Syndicate website: http://www.project-syndicate.org/commentary/migrants-and-the-post-2015-global-development-agenda-by-peter-sutherland World Bank (2009). Development indicators in the online world 2009.