During the 8th Gathering of the ParlAmericas Parliamentary Network on Climate Change and Sustainability and the 16th Gathering of the ParlAmericas Parliamentary Network for Gender Equality held in Costa Rica last week, Vice President of the PNGE for the Caribbean, Senator Lisa Jawahir advocated for gender-responsive migration policies for Caribbean and Latin America territories.
Senator Jawahir, from Saint Lucia, emphasized the critical role of gender in shaping migration experiences across the Caribbean. She presented insights into how gender impacts migration journeys, decisions, and integration.
Highlighting Unique Caribbean Challenges
Senator Jawahir pointed to specific gender-based challenges affecting migration in the Caribbean, such as increasing disaster-induced displacement. She noted that, in the region, natural disasters have a disproportionate impact on women and children, who often require unique forms of shelter and access to services. Jawahir emphasized the diverse needs of migrants based on gender, age, and health, which are essential considerations for effective support frameworks.
Jawahir also addressed the migration trends in Haiti, where gender plays a unique role. She highlighted that more men than women are migrating out of Haiti, a contrast to the general Caribbean trend of feminized emigration. This disparity, she noted, is often influenced by factors like economic resources and care responsibilities.
Practical Actions for Policymakers
In proposing solutions, Jawahir urged parliamentarians to take concrete steps to ensure inclusive migration policies. She stressed the importance of sensitizing border officials on psychological impacts of migration on women, who might be escaping violent households or men who are seeking skilled work but face xenophobia. She stressed that policy makers, in their day-to-day deliberations, can advocate for better community engagement, recommending that leaders consult with civil society groups and migrants directly. According to her, engaging with local voices allows policymakers to better understand and address the specific needs of migrant populations.
Jawahir encouraged fellow policymakers to examine impacts on social protection, food security, and employment, highlighting these areas as crucial for an inclusive policy approach.
Advocating for Regional Collaboration
Senator Jawahir further highlighted the significance of a regional approach, pointing to CARICOM’s ongoing efforts, supported by the International Organization for Migration (IOM), to develop a gender-responsive migration framework for the Caribbean. She noted that this initiative offers an opportunity for parliamentarians to influence national and regional policies that promote human rights and address the distinct needs of migrant populations.
A Call for Inclusive Dialogue
Concluding her remarks, Jawahir called on leaders to use their public platforms to foster constructive dialogue around migration and inclusion. She endorsed the new CELADE-ParlAmericas publication, Inclusive Migration Governance in the Americas and Caribbean: A Primer for Parliamentarians, as a valuable tool for guiding gender-responsive policy making.
Senator Jawahir’s contributions underscored her commitment to advancing gender equality within migration frameworks, pushing for solutions that respect and protect the rights of all individuals, regardless of gender or background.
Source/Photo: ParlAmericas.org
