
Addis Ababa, 23 October 2024 (ECA) – Aiming to empower Ethiopian returnee migrant women and safeguard their human rights, the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) has validated findings from a national assessment on migrant women, particularly those returning from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. The results were reviewed during a two-day meeting held from 22-23 October 2024, bringing together officials from the African Union Commission (AUC), UN agencies, Ethiopian government ministries, civil society organizations, and advocacy groups for migrant women’s welfare.
Ms. Sweta C. Saxena, ECA’s Director of Gender, Poverty, and Social Policy, addressed the gathering, emphasizing that being both a woman and a migrant compounds vulnerabilities. The findings reveal the complexities of reintegrating women who have returned from challenging work environments abroad. “Empowering returnees to rebuild their livelihoods,” Ms. Saxena stated, “will not only support their individual well-being but also strengthen community resilience.” Reintegration, she noted, should be a choice rather than a necessity driven by desperation.
The assessment calls for a comprehensive, needs-based reintegration process that supports returnee women on three levels: individually, within their communities, and through policy. Ms. Keiso Matashane-Marite, Chief of ECA’s Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment Section, highlighted the power of networks and business groups, which enable migrant women to better access financial resources and compete in the labor market. “Forming networks and business groups can empower migrant women economically and socially,” she explained, “making reintegration successful and sustainable.”
The Government of Ethiopia has taken significant steps to support and protect migrant workers. Laws like the revised Overseas Employment Proclamation No. 963/2023 and the Proclamation on Trafficking and Smuggling of Migrants No. 1178/2020 aim to prosecute traffickers who exploit Ethiopian workers, particularly in domestic labor and other vulnerable sectors. Ethiopia has also signed bilateral agreements with countries such as Saudi Arabia to strengthen protections for Ethiopian domestic workers abroad, ensuring they are safeguarded against exploitative labor practices.
AUC migration expert Tapiwa Mucheri emphasized the critical role of these agreements in establishing clear rights and responsibilities for both workers and employers. He noted that bilateral labor migration agreements offer a framework for improved worker protections, benefiting both Ethiopia and destination countries. By fostering ongoing dialogue between source and destination countries, Ethiopia can work to resolve labor disputes and ensure the well-being of its citizens working abroad.
Neha Choudhary, a technical officer at the International Labour Organization (ILO), reinforced the link between labor agreements and migrant empowerment, urging stakeholders to build a migration framework prioritizing worker welfare. “These policies benefit migrants and promote fair labor practices in both sending and receiving countries, reducing exploitation,” Choudhary noted.
Returnee women at the meeting echoed this sentiment, highlighting the healing power of collective action and support networks. One returnee remarked, “Five years ago, there was no organization fighting for us. Now, we have a voice at the United Nations.” They called for more associations to foster mutual support and shared their desire to continue advocating for migrant women’s rights.
Despite advancements, migration challenges remain significant. About 90% of Ethiopian migrants seek employment abroad, driven by economic necessity. Experts emphasized the need for a national labor migration policy to address this reality. Ethiopia is working towards a comprehensive migration policy, which, once endorsed, will help the nation build a more resilient migration system.
As the founder and executive director of the Center for Accelerated Women’s Economic Empowerment (CAWEE), Nigest Haile underscored that skills training and job placements are vital to helping women secure stable employment and escape cycles of exploitation. She called for policies promoting decent jobs and extending labor rights to informal sectors, where many returnees find work.
The meeting concluded with a unified call for policies that address the unique challenges migrant women face. Economic empowerment, labor rights, and social protections are critical to reducing the vulnerabilities of Ethiopian women both at home and abroad. Participants called on Ethiopian and global leaders to continue expanding opportunities and protections, ensuring that migration is a pathway of choice, dignity, and opportunity.
Issued by the Communications Section, Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), PO Box 3001, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Tel: +251 11 551 5826. Email: eca-info@un.org.
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