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| Anila Noor at the CSW68 |
On Tuesday, March 19, 2024, amidst escalating global crises, the United Nations hosted a pivotal discussion on advancing gender equality and women's empowerment within the context of poverty and migration. Organized by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and co-sponsored by esteemed partners including the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, the Permanent Mission of the Philippines to the United Nations, and UN Women, the event brought together key stakeholders to address pressing issues facing migrant women worldwide.
Critical Question
At the heart of the dialogue was a critical question: What systemic inequalities contribute most to migrant women's poverty, and how can organizations collaborate effectively to address them? With a focus on promoting gender-responsive and human rights-based approaches to poverty reduction and migration, participants aimed to chart a course towards greater equity and justice for women on the move.
Poverty stands as a significant catalyst for migration, compelling individuals, and families to seek better livelihoods and opportunities elsewhere. Yet, for many women, migration often leads to precarious employment situations, including informal and vulnerable work sectors such as domestic and care work. This reality is compounded by gender pay gaps, limited labor rights protections, and income insecurity, perpetuating cycles of poverty and marginalization.
Shifting the Narrative to Solutions
Anila Noor, Managing Director of New Women Connectors, emphasized the urgent need to shift the narrative from merely acknowledging challenges to actively pursuing solutions. As a refugee and woman-led organization with firsthand experience, New Women Connectors advocates for feminist leadership and systemic change in policies and practices. Through their "Infinity approach," they prioritize leadership development, mentorship, and collaboration to drive tangible progress.
Noor underscored the importance of viewing migrant women not as passive beneficiaries but as active partners in shaping solutions. She highlighted the role of initiatives like the Action Network on Forced Displacement, Women as Agents of Change, which advocate for flexible funding mechanisms and long-term investments to address the complex needs of displaced women.
Furthermore, Noor called for a paradigm shift in how knowledge is shared and utilized within the UN and beyond. She urged for a more inclusive, intersectional lens that recognizes the unique challenges and solutions present in each country and region. By empowering women-led organizations to define and address their own priorities, she argued, true progress can be achieved. New Women Connectors aims to serve as a knowledge broker in the UN and within countries, advocating for an intersectional lens to understand and address the specific problems and solutions concerning migrant women in different regions.
Collective Action
In closing, the discussion underscored the
imperative of collective action and partnership in advancing gender equality
and women's empowerment in the face of poverty and migration. Through
innovative approaches, inclusive dialogue, and meaningful collaboration,
stakeholders pledged to work towards a future where all women, regardless of
their migration status, can thrive and contribute to global prosperity.
As Noor eloquently stated, "I am because we are." It is through solidarity and shared commitment that meaningful change becomes possible.
Key Points on Systemic Inequalities Affecting Migrant Women's Poverty:
Poverty is a significant driver of migration, especially in contexts where livelihood opportunities are limited due to factors like conflict, disasters, climate change, and environmental degradation.
Gender Disparities in Employment:
Women, particularly migrant women, often find themselves in informal,
vulnerable, and precarious employment, such as care and domestic work. They
face limited labor rights protections, gender pay gaps, lower lifelong
earnings, and income insecurity.
Overrepresentation in Poverty:
Migrants, including women, are more likely to be in or at risk of poverty
compared to non-migrants. This highlights the urgent need for gender-responsive
and human rights-based approaches to address poverty and migration.
Advocacy for Change:
Anila Noor, Managing Director of New Women Connectors, stresses the importance
of advocating for access to opportunities, validation, and acknowledgment for
migrant women. She emphasizes the need to shift focus from merely highlighting
problems and gaps to actively seeking solutions through feminist leadership and
systemic change.
Leadership and Mentorship:
New Women Connectors promotes an "Infinity approach" that advocates
for leadership and mentorship opportunities for migrant women. They invite
collaboration and learning from various stakeholders to advance actionable
solutions.
Challenges in Funding and Communication:
There's a need for more flexible funding and long-term investment to address
the complex issues faced by migrant women. Additionally, translating technical
language into community-friendly terms is essential to ensure their meaningful
participation in finding solutions.
Role of Knowledge Broker:
New Women Connectors aims to serve as a knowledge broker in the UN and within
countries, advocating for an intersectional lens to understand and address the
specific problems and solutions concerning migrant women in different regions.
Written by Anila Noor, New Women Connectors
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