From 23 to 25 November 2021, the Gender Equality Commission (GEC) held its 20th meeting online and in Strasbourg. After two-years of preparations and negations within the Drafting Committee on Migrant Women (GEC-MIG), the GEC discussed a draft Recommendation on protecting the rights of migrant, refugee and asylum-seeking women and girls and the agreed text will be transmitted to the Committee of Ministers. The text, which aims to promote the integration of a gender equality perspective in migration, integration, and asylum policies, in order to better respond to the needs and challenges faced by all migrant women and girls, is the result of lengthy negotiations and compromises.

The scope of the draft Recommendation includes all migrant, refugee and asylum-seeking women and girls, including undocumented migrant women and girls. The topics covered are Horizontal issues: discrimination, intersectionality, stereotypes, access to justice and information about rights, empowerment; Protection and support: Victims of violence against women and domestic violence including trafficking; Arrival: transit and reception facilities, gender-sensitive asylum procedures; Residence and integration: health and social services, social and political participation, employment; education and training; integration policies; family reunion; and Returns. The draft will be transmitted to the Committee Ministers at the beginning of 2022 for discussion and final adoption.