Migration and Development Series: Briefing on Female Migration
According to the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, women and girls have, for the last two decades, constituted almost 50 per cent of all international migrants. Despite this consistently high proportion of female migrants, migration policy and discourse have remained largely “ungendered”, focusing on the phenomenon of migration and its macro impacts, rather than recognizing the differentiated experiences and contributions of female and male migrants. Moving forward, this briefing draws attention to the specificities of female migration, from their occupational sectors and remittance patterns to protection needs and the questions of integration and access to services.
This briefing is organized as a side-event to the Economic and Social Council Commission on the Status of Women (1-12 March 2010) with a view to the 2010 Annual Ministerial Review of the Economic and Social Council to be held in June in
The half-day briefing covers the following topics:
- Composition and occupational characteristics of female migration;
- Rights and protection needs of women migrants;
- Potential of female migrants to contribute to development, gender equality and women empowerment.
As an informative face-to-face event facilitated by UNITAR, this briefing features renowned experts from governments, the United Nations system, the International Organization for Migration, other international organizations and civil society. Following their presentations, participants have an opportunity to engage in in-depth discussions with the speakers.
The briefing is open to members of permanent missions to the United Nations in