Introduction
FATIMA is leading on a strategy to mainstream gender into immigration /integration / policies and promote good practice across agencies and organisations working with migrant women. The network extends into twenty seven (27) countries and will be delivering capacity building, disseminating information, developing resources and networking.Migration Development
Traditionally being treated as separate policy portfolios, migration anddevelopment are today increasingly viewed through the prism of the many links that exist between these two fields. Whiledevelopment-oriented actions can help tackling the root causes of migratory flows,migration can, in turn, contribute positively todevelopment, including economic growth, social empowerment and technological progress.On the other hand, if not well managed, migration can also pose challenges to countries'development efforts. Such phenomenon as 'brain drain', experienced by a number of developing countries in key development sectors, call for more cohesive and sustainable policies. Greater partnership between countries of origin, transit and destination as well as the full integration of the migratory dimension indevelopment policies and dialogue on all levels are crucial steps in enhancing the development potential of migration.
OSCE Guide to on Gender-Sensitive Labour Migration Policies
This new guide from the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) aims at presenting good practices and providing tools on how to shape gender-sensitive labour migration processes.
Labour migration has become one of the most visible and vital concerns in ensuring stability and economic progress, national welfare and social cohesion; it has, therefore, moved to the top of the policy agenda in many countries of origin, transit and destination. However, little attention has been given to the fact that more women, as active contributors to the economy in countries of destination, are leaving their countries of origin than ever before, and are experiencing this process differently from men.
To read full version:www.osce.org/publications/eea/2009/05/37689_1289_en.pdf
EU action against trafficking in human beings
Trafficking in human beings is a serious crime and a gross violation of human rights. Trafficking is different from illegal migration. In a trafficking case, when a migrant crosses the border, she/he is further exploited in coercive or inhuman conditions. People are trafficked for the purpose of sexual or labour exploitation. Children are also trafficked for the purpose of exploitation in begging or in illegal activities. Trafficking can also occur for the purpose of the removal of organs.
Trafficking in human beings is very often linked with organised crime. According to Europol, the number of victims trafficked to Europe might be hundred thousand yearly. Out of these, the majority are women and children. Trafficking is considered the second source of illicit profits for organised crime. In 2005 ILO (International Labour Organisation) estimated annual profits from trafficked people in forced economic and sexual exploitation worldwide to be around 31.600 million dollars.
In accordance with Council conclusions adopted by JHA Council on 8-9 November 2007, the Commission will issue by the end of 2008 an evaluation and monitoring report of the EU Action Plan on best practices, standards and procedures adopted in December 2005. The relevant Commission Working Paper will give an overview of anti-trafficking action in the EU area and Norway by analysing the state of play of anti-trafficking policy in Member States; and the implementation of actions envisaged by the Action Plan by EU bodies. It will also put forward indications for the continuation of anti-trafficking action.
The EU Anti-Trafficking Day has been established on 18 October of every year, starting on 18 October 2007. The day is an opportunity for awareness raising exercise on the need for better policy aimed at preventing and combating trafficking in human beings. The first Anti-Trafficking Day had the motto "Time for action", to underline the need for more effective initiatives.
In 2007, it was decided to set up a web-based directory of support structures. This directory would consist of weblinks, for all the Member States, on the existing support schemes, on one freely accessible webpage. It was decided that this webpage should contain links to a central body in each Member State, whether public or private, which could be accessed for information on existing support structures and contact details.The Commission has agreed that its DG JLS webpage could be used setting out the above links, it being understood that Member States remain responsible for the content of the weblinks they provide.
