Female Migrants: Bridging the Gaps Throughout the Life Cycle

Female migrants face different challenges and opportunities than men as they integrate into their host communities and become development agents for both their countries of destination and origin. And for those female migrants who return to their country of origin after several years, empowered and with new perspectives, they may face new social challenges as they have to adjust to their societies and families but can also contribute to the development of their place of origin with their new skills and economic and decisionmaking power acquired during migration. Further research on female migration – at all stages of the life cycle - is necessary to understand its challenges and opportunities and to ensure the inclusion into the different agendas. This report includes the different perspectives of experts on female migration from countries of origin, transit and destination from all five continents, as well as representatives from international agencies, NGOs and diaspora organizations. This twoday expert group meeting also produced a set of conclusions and recommendations for all stakeholders to be conveyed to the United Nations High-Level Dialogue on International Migration and Development at the General Assembly in September 2006.