Women in Migration Network

About the project

Migration is a process that is strongly characterized by gender-specific differences and inequalities. Women in migration are also confronted with specific problems, notably gender-based violence, low wages and multiple and intersectional discriminations. These different experiences and structural violence are often not sufficiently taken into account by migration policy. Intersecting experiences of discrimination, for example of racism and sexism, are also not sufficiently addressed. For this reason, various organizations came together in 2012 with the aim of promoting women’s human rights in migration policy and promoting migrant rights in feminist advocacy. This collaborative later became the Women in Migration Network (WIMN).The Women in Migration Network (WIMN) is an international network at the intersection of migration and gender that lifts up and supports the experiences, voices and agency of all women in migration as essential changemakers on the road to a more just world. The network connects members worldwide and actively promotes a feminist approach to migration policy. The "Leadership in Global Advocacy" (LIGA), funded by the Robert Bosch Foundation aims to strengthen grassroots movements in particular through joint learning processes.

Why are we supporting the project?

Gender-specific and, in particular, intersectional experiences, i.e. experiences characterized by multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination, are not sufficiently taken into account in global migration policy. Global political decision-making processes must not be detached from local realities. The WIMN network works together with member organizations to bring activists into contact with decision-makers so that they are aware of and take into account the real needs of people with migration experience.

What is the goal?

WIMN's commitment aims to make the experiences of women and people with diverse gender with lived experiences of migration and displacement visible. The network works to strengthen the participation of grassroots movements from different parts of the world in global advocacy processes. In addition, the network creates spaces for cross-issue exchange and inter-sectoral alliances, such as feminist movements, labor groups, climate justice groups and other social justice movements. The intersections of gender, migration, climate change and labor rights are at the center of WIMN’s strategy.

How does the project work?

The Women in Migration Network strengthens the voice of women and other people with diverse gender, whose lives have been impacted by migration and displacement, in the international migration governance processes. The secretariat of WIMN creates a space for its members and coordinates activities for the network. In addition, WIMN is in contact with decision-makers and actively involved in migration governance and women’s rights international spaces. WIMN holds workshops and webinars, led by persons with lived experience of migration and inequality and raises awareness regarding intersectionality in migration politics. WIMN’s strategy on feminist migration policy is an on-going bottom-up process through participatory consultations that are taking place in different international spaces.