Protecting the Rights of Migrant Women

The Western Balkans, Eastern Europe, and Central Asia (ECA) are strategic crossroads of migration, shaped by increasing mobility driven by economic factors, historical ties, environmental pressures, and regional conflicts. In this context, the gender dimension plays a crucial role in shaping migration experiences. Women, who make up more than half of migrants in the region, face specific vulnerabilities and are exposed to economic exploitation, gender-based violence, and barriers to accessing healthcare services, particularly in the area of reproductive health. Although migration is not its primary field of intervention, UN Women contributes to the empowerment of migrant women and the protection of their rights by promoting women’s leadership, economic inclusion, and the fight against gender-based violence, while working with governments, civil society, and international agencies to ensure coordinated, gender-sensitive responses.

More details

The assignment entrusted to Lattanzio KIBS consists of a comprehensive two-phase research project, aimed at analyzing existing data on migration, identifying major gaps, and conducting an in-depth assessment of migration dynamics from a gender perspective in the ECA region. Beyond examining migration trends, the study also considers policy developments, with the goal of generating evidence to guide future interventions.

The research seeks to analyse existing legal and policy frameworks to better understand the regulations and protections currently in place at both regional and national levels. At the same time, it aims to map and assess available data sources, identifying gaps and opportunities to improve the collection and use of reliable and comparable information. A core component of the work involves gathering and evaluating data to outline the current situation and highlight emerging trends.

Particular attention is also devoted to studying the socio-economic, political, and environmental contexts that shape the drivers and pull factors influencing women’s migration. Within this framework, gender analysis plays a crucial role in highlighting the specific experiences of women before, during, and after migration.

Another key step consists in mapping stakeholders, with the goal of valuing the diversity of actors involved, from government institutions and research networks to international organizations and civil society. Based on these insights, the research defines a set of priority criteria to select the countries and themes to be explored in the second phase, taking into account intersectional vulnerabilities and political relevance, and proposes a coherent methodological approach to guide case study selection while ensuring analytical consistency and rigor throughout the project.

Project Impact

Through a gender-sensitive perspective and rigorous research tools, Lattanzio KIBS supports UN Women and key stakeholders in analyzing migration dynamics, with a focus on women’s experiences and vulnerabilities, while fostering collaboration and dialogue among relevant actors.

“Women on the Move” provides evidence and tools to shape more inclusive and gender-responsive migration policies, designed to address the real needs of migrant women.