On this International Migrants Day, the world pauses to reflect on a journey that is as old as humanity itself: the movement of people across borders in search of safety, opportunity, and a better life. This year, under the evocative theme “My Great Story: Cultures and Development,” the focus shifts toward the individual narratives that compose our collective history. Migration is not merely a matter of statistics or policy frameworks; it is a profound human epic defined by resilience, cultural fusion, and an unwavering commitment to progress. At the center of this narrative, often acting as the primary drivers of change yet remaining frequently invisible, are women and girls.
Human mobility has always been a fundamental force in binding our global society together. Across generations and geographical boundaries, the movement of people has acted as a catalyst for innovation, an engine for economic growth, and a bridge for cultural exchange. When migration is grounded in dignity and the protection of fundamental rights, it becomes a transformative power that enriches host societies while providing a lifeline to communities of origin. However, to fully understand the impact of migration in the modern era, one must look closely at the "feminization of migration"—a phenomenon where women are no longer just following family members but are migrating independently as breadwinners, leaders, and pioneers.
The role of women in the migration story is multifaceted and indispensable. Whether they are navigating the complexities of a new country themselves, supporting their families from thousands of miles away, or managing the shifting dynamics of households left behind, women are the pillars of the global migration cycle. Their contributions are both economic and social. Economically, the remittances sent home by migrant women are often more consistent and more likely to be invested directly into the health, education, and nutrition of their children and extended families. These financial flows do more than just alleviate poverty; they act as a form of grassroots development that stabilizes entire regions.
Beyond the financial aspect, women provide essential care work that sustains the social fabric of the countries they enter. From healthcare and elder care to domestic services and education, migrant women fill critical labor gaps in aging societies, ensuring that the wheels of the global economy continue to turn. Their leadership within migrant-led organizations and their ability to adapt to new cultural environments help diverse societies flourish and find common ground. Their stories are not just stories of movement; they are stories of profound societal transformation.
Yet, despite their vital contributions, the journey for many migrant women and girls remains fraught with systemic perils. The transition from their home countries to new lands is too often marked by risk rather than opportunity. In many parts of the world, migrant women face a "triple "burden of discrimination based on their gender, their legal status, and their ethnicity. They are frequently pushed into the informal economy, where they lack the protection of labor laws and are vulnerable to wage theft, physical abuse, and extreme exploitation.
The lack of safe and regular migration pathways often forces women into the hands of unscrupulous recruiters or traffickers. Once abroad, domestic workers, in particular, may find themselves isolated in private homes, cut off from social support networks and legal recourse. For these women, the "great story" of migration can quickly turn into a narrative of survival against the odds. Violence against migrant women—ranging from workplace harassment to systemic gender-based violence—remains a pervasive shadow over the benefits of global mobility. Even as they send home the life-changing earnings that sustain their families, these contributions often come at a staggering personal cost to their mental and physical well-being.
In response to these challenges, UN Women has intensified its global efforts to ensure that migration becomes a source of empowerment rather than a path to vulnerability. By working in close partnership with national governments, civil society, and grassroots migrant-led organizations, the agency is striving to uphold the rights and dignity of every woman on the move. The goal is to shift the conversation from seeing migrant women as passive victims to recognizing them as active agents of change whose voices must lead the development of migration policy.
A poignant example of this mission in action can be found in Ethiopia, a country that has seen significant outward and inward migration flows. In the Tigray region, the story of one young woman serves as a powerful testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the necessity of gender-responsive support systems. After migrating abroad in search of work to support her family, she fell victim to severe exploitation while serving as a domestic worker. Her experience was one of trauma and loss, a stark reminder of the gaps in international protection for female migrants.
However, her story did not end with her exploitation. Upon her return to Ethiopia, she was able to access a comprehensive network of support through UN Women’s partner, Agar Ethiopia. This organization provides a sanctuary for returnees, offering a "survivor-centered" approach that addresses the complex needs of women who have faced abuse abroad. Through this partnership, she was provided with more than just a roof over her head; she received essential healthcare, legal aid to pursue justice, and psychosocial support to heal the invisible wounds of her journey.
Crucially, the support extended into the future through vocational training, equipping her with the skills needed to rebuild her life and achieve financial independence within her own community. Her journey from a survivor of exploitation to a woman reclaiming her agency illustrates the profound impact of integrated, gender-sensitive services. It shows that when the right systems are in place, the "great story" of a migrant can be one of justice, recovery, and newfound strength. This is the essence of protecting rights and unlocking human potential.
The global community stands at a crossroads regarding how it manages human mobility. As we celebrate International Migrants Day, it is clear that the traditional, gender-blind approaches to migration policy are no longer sufficient. To truly honor the contributions of migrant women, there must be a concerted effort to dismantle the structural barriers that put them at risk. This includes advocating for fair labor standards, ensuring access to justice regardless of migration status, and creating more legal pathways for women to migrate safely and with dignity.
Furthermore, the narrative surrounding migration must be reclaimed from the rhetoric of fear and division. The theme “My Great Story” reminds us that every migrant carries a wealth of knowledge, culture, and ambition. When women migrate, they bring with them new perspectives that spark innovation in technology, the arts, and social organization. They are the connectors who link different parts of the world, fostering a sense of global solidarity that is essential for tackling contemporary challenges like climate change and economic inequality.
UN Women continues to call for a world where every migrant woman and girl is treated with the respect she deserves. This involves not only protecting them from harm but also celebrating their leadership and courage. Whether they are navigating the bureaucracy of a foreign embassy, learning a new language in a crowded classroom, or leading a community initiative in their new home, their actions are building the shared future we all desire.
As we mark this day, we honor the millions of women whose stories are still being written. We honor the mothers who sacrifice years away from their children to provide them with an education, the daughters who move across continents to support their aging parents, and the trailblazers who move to pursue their own professional dreams. Their stories are the true engine of global connection. Their contributions are essential—not only to the families who wait for their return or the economies that rely on their labor but to the very concept of a more just and interconnected world.
In conclusion, International Migrants Day 2025 is a call to action. It is a reminder that the stories of migrant women are not peripheral to the story of development; they are the story. By investing in their safety, listening to their voices, and recognizing their rights, we do more than just help individuals—we strengthen the foundations of our global community. The resilience of migrant women is a beacon of hope, showing us that even in the face of immense challenges, the human spirit can thrive, transform, and lead us toward a brighter, more inclusive future for all.
