18. December 2007
International Migrant´s Day
December 18th 2007
The international Migrant´s Day was initiated by Filipino and Asian migrant organisations and celebrated fort he first time in 1979. December 18th is the day that the UN adopted the International Convention of the Protection of the Rights of all Migrants Workers and Members of their Families.
Feminization of Migration
Every year millions of women leaf their countries to work elsewhere earning millions of dollars which they send back to their homes and communities. Money which guarantees the education of their children provides health care, clothes and food; money which improves their living standards.
For host countries the labour of the migrant women is so embedded into the very fabric of society that it goes virtually unnoticed.
For many years, the issue of migrant women has been low on the international policy agenda. Now the world has a unique opportunity to change this. The voices of female migrants have to be heard. If their human rights are guaranted and respected, both – the home countries and the host countries will benefit.
For many women, migration opens the door to a better life, to another world of greater equality, without suppression and discrimination.
The world bank is currently analyzing the dynamics of international migration from a gender perspective. “policies in the filed of migration are gender neutral in principle, but not at practices” encourages World Bank Chief Economist, Francois Bourguignon, policy makers to analyze migration policies from a gender perspective.
Interesting sources:
December 18 is an NGO an NGO in Special Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations. Click here to watch their website.
The World population report 2006 deals with the issue of female migration. Please look at UNFPA´s website for download and further information.
Sources: UNFPA, December 18, WUNRN www.unfpa.org/swp/2006/