The Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe on Friday adopted a new recommendation on the protection of the rights of migrant women and girls, refugees and asylum seekers, which sets out measures to better address the needs and challenges they face.
According to a statement from the CoC, the recommendation draws on elements of the Council of Europe treaties, including the Istanbul Convention on the Prevention and Suppression of Violence against Women and the Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings, which addresses women and girls, from adequate transit and reception facilities, to health needs or the establishment of asylum policies that take into account the gender dimension.
In addition, based on the findings of the European Commission for the Prevention of Torture and related United Nations instruments, the Recommendation provides Member States with a list of measures to ensure better protection of migrant women's human rights.
As noted, the Recommendation provides additional guidance to Member States on the needs of women in social services, employment, education and participation, to ensure that public policies contribute fully to the integration and empowerment of women and migrant girls, refugees and asylum seekers. The Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Marija Pejčinović Burić, emphasized that it was crucial to recognize that women and girls who are migrants, refugees or asylum seekers have special needs and face circumstances that must be taken into account at all stages of the migration process.
"Unfortunately, the war in Ukraine highlights the dangers faced by refugee women and girls. "This recommendation provides specific advice to our Member States on how to best protect them from all forms of violence, to support victims and to ensure the perpetrators are held accountable."
Source: KYPE