Gender, International Migration, and Female Returnee Reintegration Challenges in Ebonyi State

International migration has become a defining feature of Nigeria's social landscape, with millions of Nigerians residing abroad and significant numbers returning, voluntarily or involuntarily, each year. Female returnees constitute a particularly vulnerable subset of this population, often facing layered challenges related to stigmatization, limited economic opportunities, and psychosocial trauma, especially those who have experienced exploitation during irregular migration journeys. Ebonyi State, with documented irregular migration flows through Libya and the Saharan route, presents a relevant setting for investigating female returnee reintegration experiences. This study explores the gendered dimensions of international migration and reintegration in Ebonyi State, focusing on the policy environment, social dynamics, and institutional support structures available to female returnees between 2020 and 2024. A qualitative methodology is employed, incorporating life history interviews with female returnees, focus group discussions with community women's associations, and interviews with officials from the International Organization for Migration and state social welfare agencies. The intersectionality framework and feminist international relations theory guide the analysis. Findings indicate that reintegration programs, while providing short-term livelihood support, inadequately address the psychological and social dimensions of returnee experiences, including community stigma and family relationship breakdown. Policy responses remain fragmented across federal and state agencies, reducing their cumulative impact. The study recommends an integrated, gender-sensitive reintegration framework that coordinates international organizations, state agencies, and civil society bodies. Keywords: gender, international migration, female returnees, reintegration, Ebonyi State