The International Organization for Migration (IOM) and UN Women have joined forces to advance the rights, protection, and empowerment of women in migration policies and humanitarian responses. With women making up 48.1% of international migrants, they face specific gender-related challenges during migration, including greater risks of discrimination, violence, and trafficking. Historically, migration governance has overlooked these gendered issues, but this new partnership aims to change that by focusing on gender equality in all aspects of migration and displacement contexts.
Migrant women often face precarious working conditions, particularly in informal sectors like domestic work, agriculture, and care services. They are also less likely to have access to financial services, social protection, or safe working conditions. The partnership between IOM and UN Women is designed to tackle these issues, ensuring that women’s rights are at the forefront of migration policies. It also seeks to protect women from gender-based violence and improve their access to essential services like healthcare and education, which are often disrupted in times of conflict or displacement.
As climate change intensifies, more women and girls are expected to be displaced by environmental factors, further increasing the risks they face. However, women play a crucial role in driving development in both their home countries and host communities. Their remittances often go toward education, healthcare, and local investments, making them key contributors to poverty reduction and community growth.
The new agreement between IOM and UN Women emphasizes the need for gender-responsive migration governance. This approach recognizes women’s leadership and agency, ensuring that humanitarian responses prioritize their needs. The partnership will focus on improving migration policies, enhancing gender data collection, and implementing joint programs that address the unique challenges faced by women in migration.
By centering women and girls in migration and humanitarian policies, IOM and UN Women aim to build stronger, more resilient communities. Investing in gender equality in migration is not only a matter of human rights but also a key strategy for creating equitable and sustainable development outcomes.