KATHMANDU, Dec 13: Authorities and experts on migration and gender have stressed on the need of evidence-based gender-responsive policies to tackle the problems of unsafe migration and reintegration of migrant women.
Speaking at a two-day conference hosted by the Ministry of Women Children and Senior Citizen (MoWCSW) in collaboration with the United Nations (UN) in Nepal, the Embassy of Finland and the Embassy of Switzerland, UN Resident Coordinator to Nepal Valerie Julliand said, “The labor market in Nepal is characterized by a significant gender gap. Social norms and structural barriers in the society give women little hope of change. This compels women to migrate.”
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She highlighted the importance of creating opportunities for returnee women migrants because those who come back and do not find a possibility of a better life might migrate again through illegal channels and risk their lives.
Joint-Secretary at the MoWCSW, Rajendra Kumar Paudel, stressed on the need of governments at all levels, along with the UN and development partners to work together to make migration safe and dignified.
Similarly, Finnish Ambassador to Nepal Pertti Anttinen said, “It is important to explore how returnee migrant women can reap benefits and opportunities to utilize the skills they acquired to improve their lives back in Nepal. Economic opportunities will help to address the root causes and structural barriers faced by women migrants.”
