A national-level alliance of rights groups working on women’s empowerment was launched yesterday in order to establish equal rights for female migrant workers. The Alliance for Women Migrant Voices (AWMV) will strengthen networking among women’s rights organizations in order for them to take a proactive role in ensuring safe female migration and addressing workplace discrimination and violence.
The alliance, which is supported by the Manusher Jonno Foundation (MJF) and funded by Global Affairs Canada, was launched at a ceremony held at the capital’s Probashi Kalyan Bhaban by the Centre for Women and Children Studies (CWCS). AWMV began with 22 members: seven national-level and 15 local NGOs. In launching the alliance, Expatriates’ Welfare Minister Imran Ahmad expressed hope that by working together, the ministry and AWMV will be able to successfully ensure safe migration and skill training for female migrant workers. According to MJF Executive Shaheen Anam, there are numerous challenges to female migration, despite the government’s various initiatives to promote and strengthen it. It is expected that, in addition to males, females will migrate in accordance with the law, have proper contract documentation, be able to work and receive the agreed-upon wage, and remain safe in the host country, she said.
Ahmed Munirus Saleheen, secretary of the expatriates’ welfare ministry, urged rights groups to create a “positive narrative” about female migration and work for their rights. Among those who spoke at the event were AWMV Chair and CWCS President Prof Ishrat Shamim and AWMV Secretary General Advocate Farida Yeasmin.
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