U.N.: Migrant female workers face special challenges

Population: its patterns of growth vary widely among the world’s nations, but one trend affecting virtually the entire globe is that–more than ever–people are on the move. That was today’s focus as a new report was unveiled by the United Nations.

Jewel Quallo-Rosberg, Liason Officer, U.N.F.P.A.
?This report calls on governments and individuals to recognize and value the contribution of migrant women and promote and respect their human rights.?

Jacqueline Godwin, Reporting
Today, the United Nations Population Fund officially launched its annual publication. The 2006 State of the World Population Report focuses on women and international migration and the need for a call to action. According to U.N.F.P.A. Liaison Officer in Belize, Jewel Quallo Rosberg women make up the majority of migrant workers across the globe and their labor goes largely unrecognized even though they have made major contributions to their families and communities.

Jewel Quallo-Rosberg
?Studies show that they tend to send a large portion of their earnings back home than the male migrant do. They keep household running as domestic workers and providers of care and because female migrants are exposed to new situations, many of them contribute new ideas, skills and attitudes that help boost development and promote greater equality between women and men in their country?s of origin.?

U.N.F.P.A. calls for a stronger cooperation between countries to make migration more safe and fair and an urgent need to address the problems of lack of opportunities and human rights violations that affect many women who migrate.

Jewel Quallo-Rosberg
?In Belize our situation is much better than a lot of situations we know of in other parts of the world. However, we do have issues that we need to address.?

Also released is the supplementary report for young people. The smaller publication chronicles the experiences shared by ten migrant workers who became victims of human rights abuses.

Jewel Quallo-Rosberg
?Now is the time for vision and leadership on behalf of women migrants, labour and human rights protection and sound immigration policies can ensure that migration for women is truly a passage of hope.?

During the ceremony, U.N.F.P.A. also launched its youth advisory group that will work towards promoting adolescent and youth rights.