Work on a draft Recommendation on the rights of migrant, refugee and asylum-seeking women and girls was completed during the fifth and last meeting of the Council of Europe Drafting committee on migrant women (GEC-MIG). GEC-MIG, a subordinate body to the Gender Equality Commission (GEC), had been tasked by the Committee of Ministers to draft a Recommendation on migrant and refugee women and girls. The meeting was held in person in Strasbourg and via videoconference on 30 September and 1 October 2021.

During these two days, representatives of 22 member states, 2 observer states, 4 observers and 8 sectors of the Council of Europe discussed a compromise document prepared by the Chair and the Secretariat following a final consultation of member states and other stakeholders in June-July 2021. The revised text addresses the rights of migrant, refugee and asylum-seeking women and girls and looks at issues of non-discrimination, access to justice, intersectionality, protection, support, residence, integration, and returns.

The text of the draft Recommendation as delivered by GEC-MIG will be forwarded to the Gender Equality Commission for consideration at its November 2021 plenary meeting.