Responding to Regional and Global Challenges: Protecting the Rights of Migrant, Refugee and Asylum-seeking Women and Girls

Side-Event co-organised by the Council of Europe and the Permanent Mission of Iceland to the United Nations during the Icelandic Presidency of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe.

Tuesday, 7 March 2023, 11:30 AM -12:45 PM EST (5:30 - 6:45 PM CET)

Conference Room 4 – General Assembly Building, United Nations, New York

This side-event highlighted the challenges and specific needs of migrant, refugee and asylum-seeking women and girls, and outlined the existing legal framework providing useful guidance.

It offered an opportunity to exchange on experience and practical solutions to improve the situation of women and girls on the ground, whether in their country of origin, during the journey, or upon arrival.

The war in Ukraine has made it clearer than ever that women and girls are disproportionately affected by crises. The conflict has had a very negative impact on migrant and refugee women, including when it comes to different forms of gender-based violence and human trafficking.

The event therefore explored the whys and hows of gender-sensitive migration (and other) crisis management. Bringing together international partners and relevant , civil society representatives, the event fostered an understanding of how gender aspects intersect with migration and promoted gender equality and human dignity.

 

 Watch the recording of the event

 

Speakers

  • Katrin Jakobsdóttir, Prime Minister of Iceland
  • Sergiy Kyslytsya, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Permanent Representative of Ukraine to the United Nations and President of the Executive Board of UN Women
  •  Iris Luarasi, President of the Group of Experts on Action against Violence against Women and Domestic Violence, Council of Europe
  • Pär Liljert, Director, Office of the International Organization for Migration to the United Nations, New York
  • Leyla Kayacik, Council of Europe's Special Representative on Migration and Refugees
  • Jemimah Njuki, Chief, Economic Empowerment, UN Women
  • Alyssa Ahrabare, Legal & Advocacy Lead, European Network of Migrant Women

Moderator

  • Marja Ruotanen, Director General of Democracy and Human Dignity, Council of Europe