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 aims to:

• Analyze existing legal and policy instruments to understand regulations and protections at both regional and national levels.
• Map and assess data sources, identifying gaps and opportunities to improve the collection and use of reliable and comparable information.
• Gather and assess data to identify gaps and evaluate quality, in order to analyze the current situation and emerging trends.
• Study socio-economic, political, and environmental contexts to interpret the factors driving or attracting women migrants.
• Conduct an in-depth gender analysis, highlighting the specific experiences of women before, during, and after migration.
• Map stakeholders, recognizing the diversity of actors involved, from government institutions to research networks, from international organizations to civil society.
• Define priority criteria for selecting countries and themes to be further explored in the second phase, considering intersectional vulnerabilities and political relevance.
• Propose a methodological approach for the first phase, guiding the selection of case studies and ensuring analytical coherence and rigor.

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.