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Women taking part in a communication campaign encouraging Vietnamese migrant women affected Peer facilitators during a self-help group session for by to speak out © IOM women victims of violence in Viet Nam © IOM Taking Action against Violence and Affecting Migrant Women and Girls1

IOM is committed is one of the most to the principle pervasive global and systemic forms of human Prevalence of violence against migrant that humane and violations that exist today. Even though women – a few examples: orderly migration many migrant women do not encounter • In Spain, in 2006, 12.1 per cent of women migrants (compared to 6% of Spanish women) indicated that benefits migrants violence and benefit from migration, for they had been victims of violence at the hands of and society. As an some of the 105 million international migrant their former or current spouse (PACE, 2009). intergovernmental women worldwide (UN DESA, 2009), violence • Of 145 domestic workers from Sri Lanka working in body, IOM acts and discrimination2 can appear at the very the Arab states and sampled in a study, 17 per cent with its partners had been sexually harassed and 5 per cent had been start of the migration process. In fact, in raped (UNDP/IOM et al., 2008). in the international some cases, discrimination and violence in • According to the European Parliament, some community to: the private or public sphere can even act 500,000 women and girls living in have been assist in meeting as women’s main motivation to migrate, subjected to female genital mutilation (FGM), with the operational although in many instances they may not be another 180,000 at risk every year of undergoing the procedure (European Parliament, 2009). In the challenges of identified as such. For example, prejudice migration, advance European Union, approximately 20,000 women and against certain categories of women, such girls seek asylum from FGM-practicing countries of understanding of as single mothers, wives, widows and LGBTI origin every year, with France, Italy, Sweden, and the migration issues, (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or United Kingdom representing the main countries of encourage social intersex) individuals, can act as a strong push asylum for these women and girls in 2011 (UNHCR, 2013). and economic factor. development • In 2011, the United Kingdom government’s Forced Marriage Unit (FMU) gave support or advice in 1468 through migration, On arrival in the country of destination, instances related to a possible forced marriage. Of and work towards violence and discrimination continue to be these instances, 78 per cent of the victims were effective respect of part of the lives of many migrant women as women and girls (https://www.gov.uk). the human dignity they experience dual vulnerability to violence. • In a study of 207 women from 14 countries who had and well-being of been recently released from a trafficking situation in This is primarily due to their status as women, Europe, 60 per cent reported having been physically migrants. reflecting gender inequalities existing in both and/or sexually abused before being trafficked. origin and destination societies, as well as Moreover, 95 per cent reported physical and/or sexual violence while in the trafficking situation their status as foreigners. Often, these two (LSHTM/IOM et al., 2006). main causes of vulnerability intersect with additional risk factors.

17 route des Morillons l CH-1211 l Geneva 19, Switzerland Tel: +41 22 717 9111 l Fax: +41 22 798 6150 21_13 E-mail: [email protected] l Internet: http://www.iom.int Violence and discrimination against migrant women and girls 2 within thefamily Violence against migrantwomen andgirls of time. from severe formsfor and violence of longer periods suffering women migrant of likelihood the increase networks, family extended the community plays an important role in intra-couple where behaviour, may societies and in family especially with contact situations abusive diminished and isolation Social against 2009). (Steibelt/IOM, themselves protect to combineall to reduce migrant women’s capacity communities home their in violence of experiences knowledgerightstheir of certainin and, cases, earlier limited jobs, appropriate to language access inadequate of local skills, lack the addition, In disability. or identity gender orientation, sexual ethnicity,, as – but not limited to – legal status, age, class, , facingThe riskof increased violenceis by factors such influence risksof experiencing violence Individual trajectoriesandcircumstances against women and risky migration through economic empowerment economic through © IOM migration risky and women against programmeIOM preventtoan violence in Nicaraguan part takingwomen in thehousehold;andnon-spousal violence. other sexual violence; sexual of female children and rape marital including violence, partner intimate another battering; by include violence out of Formsmember. carried family be also can it but partner, most commonly perpetrated byor male the husband againstViolence women theprivate in sphere is violence Migration may trigger oraggravate domestic addressed by IOM projects (IOM, 1995). and services” and consideration into taken identified, are women migrant all of needs particular the that “ensuring to committed been has IOM gender IOM then, Since 1995. in the policy of adoption the to leading factors and girls main the of one protection was for and need special their women against violence of issue The significant percentage intimate who report women of a up make women migrant that shown have Europe in Studies households. migrant in prevalent more be may triggers its of some levels, socio-economic all at Although occurs in all societies and to , can alsobeasource of conflict. or other money-related issues, for example in relation al./IOM, 2009). Job insecurity and financial difficulties (Jampaklaydomesticsource violence of et major a be This easily. represents a more shift in traditional employment gender roles, find which can may and work, domestic and care as labour,such for demand stable a with sectors specific in work women migrant Some life. social or professional new their into integrating they believe themselves tosuccessfulbe less attheir spouse than or when breadwinner, of role defined they feel that they have failedto liveto up aculturally where situations in especially head, family dominant may resort to violencetotheir role uphold asthe or 2000).Men al., et begins (Dutton migration often after increases women migrant against violence partner intimate that indicates States United the in research Moreover, 2009). (PACE, violence partner o vr 50 oe hvn eprecd violence, experienced including domestic violence, andtheir families. having women 1500 over to psychosocial and familyand support therapywere sessions providedorganized, were prevention GBV on officials government for trainings and workshops addition, In people. Colombia 3000 nearly to from out reached and populations displaced hosts workshops. country the which of and region a in place screenings took campaign discussions, The film included messages, that radio GBV against campaign community and sensitization comprehensive authorities a organizations launched local IOM, Ecuador, In agt omnte. iia iiitvs havebeen initiatives implemented by IOMinZambia andNepal. Similar communities. in GBV target in reduction including a to contributed participants, and men, 1000 255 over reached the Altogether,project (GBV). violence deal gender-based to knowledge with and support participants of source become crucial female had a groups self-help while the that participants, emphasized male of number a significant among behaviour and attitudes in changes reported saw project The masculinity. of to models them non-violent alternative encourage advocate to and adopt as well as women, against awareness on issues of gender inequality and violence wereformed also policy for migrant men to increase their groups strengthening Self-help implementation. women, and development against violence of awareness inthe raise and out speak to and them empower to formed werethe workplace women the for groups at Self-help including home. violence, violence, and domestic harassment experienced toother support internal migrant women whohave and psychosocial, health, provided IOM Nam, Viet In for transportation, food or accommodation, which puts themat increased riskofviolence. accommodation, or food transportation, for sexexchange to forced or compelled be may women travelling, When population. general the of members of violence may also be committed by employers or by detention centres, throughout actors, the migration state cycle. Acts by or in workers officers customs officers, police violence as such physical from risk at are violence psychological occurring within the receiving and society. Migrant sexualwomen physical, of acts are sphere public the in discrimination and Violence Violence inthepublic sphere too or relativism hastily tolerating itasa family matter. cultural with families migrant in these issues isneeded to avoidapproaching violence of Awareness opportunities. educational their limit social their development impair and integration into can the host society and These partner. or career of of their freedom on movement and limitations with respect to restrictions their choice from suffer may girls and women young practices, traditional Beyond Rapporteur, 2007). example to prevent perceived promiscuity (UN Special sexuality,for and women’s behaviourcontrolling and used as a way of consolidating traditional gender roles of practicesharmfulcase, such this be In also origin. can community the to compared as expression, and societies where women have more freedom of choice country of origin. This is especially the case in receiving the to link a maintain to used be may practices these isdifficult, increased complianceor pressure to complywith integration where situations In “honour” so-called crimes. as well as marriage forced and early cutting, mutilation/ female genital female violence, infanticide, dowry-related alia, inter include, practices society.Harmful host the into imported are associated groupparticular a of norms social the with Migration can create situations where harmful practices When harmfulpracticesmigratewithfamilies action; build the capacity of relevant capacity the professionals; andbuildbridges across continents. build action; and support society civil countries destination and sustainable all in among stakeholders awareness raise empower collective FGM; of to: abandonment the seeks for strategycommunities four-pronged This approach. rights-based human and comprehensive a adopted has IOM countries, industrialized in (FGM) mutilation genital female of transposition the from arising challenges unique the to respond to order In women throughout themigration process ©IOM migrant Bangladeshi against violence prevent to campaign information IOM an of part women, migration safefor on postersreadingYoung men economic opportunities, as well as a lack of security of lack a as well as opportunities, economic socio- other ,care, health employment and housing, security, social recourse, legal to access to with regard women migrant against discrimination levels. access toresultand services public de facto in at several market labour the to entry occur regulating policies Often, discrimination of Forms women’s vulnerabilitytoviolence Discriminative policiesincrease migrant to intense pressure from thecommunity andfamily or orientation sexual their gender identity. share Women in to particular may be men subjected gay than womentransgender and may individuals belesslikely bisexual and lesbian that been IOM’s has observation America andCentral Asiain2013. staff to offered be inNorthAfrica,East,serving theMiddle Europe, Latin will trainings further and , South in place taking already are Trainingsmigrants. LGBTIof dignity protect the and needs the addressto ways on staff RSC training been has IOM parallel, In decisions informed to make about theirresettlement cases. critical still receive needed information identity gender or sexual orientation their share not do who those that ensure to handouts distributing also are RSCs IOM community. sensitive information with their family members or share the not will and supportive are settlement their in (LGBTI) refugees feel certain that those to assisting them is created space ensure lesbian, gay, confidential bisexual, transgender and intersex and welcoming a which in initiative Programspace” “safe a implemented have Admissions (RSCs) Centers Support Refugee Resettlement IOM (USRAP), States United the Through violence. and ostracism to abuse, to exposure challenges specific including asylum, first of poses country their in integration or origin of country their leave to them compelled has identity gender or address the needs of migrants whose sexual to severalprojectsorientation in involved been recently has IOM the humanitarian community. rape, resulting thesepopulations of visibility less in to “corrective”and maritalevensexualharassment, and forced marriages and higher levels of domestic abuse, to lead can This traditional roles. gender toadhere to 3 Violence and discrimination against migrant women and girls Violence and discrimination against migrant women and girls 4 attempt to leave. In 2011, the International Labour the International In 2011, leave. to attempt on a single employer and may face deportation if they dependent often are they as more violence, to vulnerable are generally workers, domestic particularly workers,irregular and/or Unskilled compliance. their toensure violence psychological using and/or deportation, incarceration with them threaten Employers also exploitation. may and abuse sexual or rape, beatings, starvation, confinement, forced , of non-payment hours, working long as such conditions working exploitative including unconventional forms, in violence workersthereforeto exposedarewomen Migrant 2009). (IOM, protection little offer thus and and low-paid gender-segregated, unregulated, These are rarely covered work.by often national labour laws sex sectors, and factory, entertainment care-giving, agriculture, domestic, include employed predominantly are women migrant which in Sectors migrant women Economic violenceandexploitation of forms ofdiscrimination andviolence. further which increases their vulnerabilityto various women, migrant of disempowerment systematic the and protection from violence. The end result is usually labour migration cycle. the throughout rights human for their of practices protection the good of and of workers the vulnerability migrant of women the public and practitioners inAsia. better informpublicationsto seek policymakers,Both Migration Labour and Gender publication, migrant the research policy-oriented a published of women also It towards workers. empowerment adopts and Organization protection holistic the the called approach presenting Workers, against compendium Migrant Violence a Address Women and published Prevent to IOM Working 2009, In upon ongoing national initiatives withinthe region. taken. be to action additional of migrant workers exploited within the region and on complemented by research to shedlight on the plight be will migrants protected.better actions areof Such communitydiasporaand level to ensure that therights also undertake awareness raising at will the project governmental, The assistance. reintegration and return voluntary and aid, legal assistance, psychosocial aid, direct assistance such asimmediate humanitarian workers. domestic female Support services will include the on provision of targeted focus special a with Syria, and Lebanon, Arabia, Saudi Iraq,Jordan, Egypt, in 150 workers migrant to vulnerable highly assistance and direct exploited provide A new will project workers. IOM domestic migrant female against by employers committed reports exploitation numerous and abuse been of have North there and region, East Middle the in countries several In The project also builds also project The services, psychosocial support, legal counselling, counselling, legal training and/or educational support. support, psychosocial services, to medical access including options, (re)integration the trafficking physicalneed specializedviolence and assistance and after experience. Trafficked stigmatization women often experience severe and to domestic violence also vulnerable are persons Trafficked forced marriage and other practices similar to . begging, exploitation, sexuallabour, forced including trafficked exploitation, of destination, forms severe to their exposed are victims at or transit In exploit them. who traffickers to prey fall some to purposes, access lack work migrate for to channels legal migrants about information potential many Because against women migrants Trafficking: oneofthe worst forms ofviolence have ratified theConvention. Statesmember four only 2012, however,March of as to take specific protective measures for these workers; concerning States requiring Workers, Domestic for Work Convention Decent the adopted Organization (Steibelt/IOM, 2009). withdrawal a possible in from thehost community resulting restrictions, self-imposed generate can and the freedomlimit movement of ofmigrant women or may strangers actual by assault sexual and of danger perceived violence of Threats 2006). General, Secretary- (UN violence of consequences the among the womenon well as their childrenas canbe also impacts economic and social and performance work infections. Poorertransmitted sexually other and HIV of transmission and trauma, health mental injuries, violence of against migrant womenphysical include symptoms consequences and health-associated The women Consequences andcostsofviolenceagainst of trafficking in persons since 1994. The Organization The 1994. since persons in trafficking of phenomenon the counter to working been has IOM Assistance Handbook for Victims of Trafficking, of Victims available in several for languages. Handbook the Direct Assistance published has and victims to in direct assistance consequences involved isalso and IOM trafficking. understanding human trends of processes, better causes, and the analysing tool for identifying, avaluable as serves database The trafficking victims. on data primary of source global largest and operates a global database, the manages IOM collection, data of terms In world. the governmentalsocietycivil and actorsmany in partsof and girls. IOM conducts counter-trafficking training for 30,000 trafficked persons, two-thirds of them women approximately to assistance provided and 100 countries over in projects 800 roughly implemented has 3

north-eastern Kenya ©IOM IOM for host communities affected byhigh rates ofincoming migration in Participants ina Special difficulty. of layer another adds providers service and social courts officials, enforcement law of part the on sensitivity and awareness limited The (Steibelt/IOM, assistance 2009). offer to available no often longer are friends, and family as such networks, support social addition, In environment.professional their in discrimination and violence experience they when or relationships abusive in help seeking from women keep enforcement, law in trust and services of of awareness alack as as well stigmatization, and retaliation of fear children, their for concern shame, The with coupled vulnerability, increase that 2006). factors risk Secretary-General, (UN repercussions to report interpersonalviolence for fearthe of unlikely are trafficking, of victims including migrants, irregular as well as employers, or fathers husbands, their on depends status legal whose women Migrant keep migrantwomen from violence reporting Lack oflegalstatusandcompromised trust to inspire able enough confidence soas to reach women inneed. and targeted non-stigmatizing, are Itis 2009). therefore to that necessary services designsupport (PACE, it reporting from women keeps and violence domestic increases integration of lack to hand, other the linked on society; host the into integration closely women’s theyhinder also hand, one are the on integration: violence of costs The General, 2006). Secretary- (UN suffering and pain human in costs are goto to measure to difficult most need The injuries. might despite and work off days take to able be not might they where often situations they precarious in as work hard especially women migrant hits which cost, indirect an of example an is employment Lost violence. of wake the in services, care child justice and shelters legal care, health as such services different include costsDirect costs. indirect and direct of kinds creates women migrant against Violence psychosocial healthcounselling sessionconducted by and the formulation of a coherent policy response policy a coherent from violence of formulation the migrants and women of protection the rightsinstruments,tohuman needed ensureis which existing of these enforcement and implementation ratification, the remains challenges main the of One all rarely migrants; of elements are includedunderasoleinstrument. protection the of or the elimination violence and girls, the women targeting of protection usually mechanisms or instruments discrimination. and violence human against framework girls and women migrant protecting legal regional the constitute and instruments international rights of number A legal framework More useshouldbemadeoftheinternational well asfor caution inusingdata. as the of thephenomenon of assessing magnitude women victims of violence, calling for innovative ways Levels of reporting are usually very low among migrant more secludedfrom protection andassistance. even are hence and home their outside work not do who women reach to needed particularly are efforts 2012). wellas as rehabilitation programmes for perpetrators (ECOSOC, victims, for support reintegration social and assistance, employment and economic hotlines, 24-hour support, psychosocial services, care health police and justice responses, shelters, legal assistance, multisectoral response services be provided, including specific that crucial is it addition, In behaviours. and practices violent support often to eliminate that inequalities and only to not approaches violence, but also to address necessary underlying discrimination comprehensive are prevention holistic, These settings (UN Women,2012). cultural toprevent reduce and and acrossand within violence all social accepted practices, as norms and behaviours, must all be targeted well and Laws as victims. policies, assist properly and violence causes of root the tackle to essential against are approaches violence address multisectoral coordinated girls, and effectively women migrant to order In Services Prevention andMultisectoralResponse ofthese women. and vulnerabilities risks the perpetuating thereby women, migrant against violence of causes and focused onaddressing thesymptoms policy andnotthe Many problem. are and isolation in programmatic interventions exist multifaceted this to 4 hy r gnrl ua rights human general are They 5 Violence and discrimination against migrant women and girls Violence and discrimination against migrant women and girls 6 4. 3. 2. 1. Endnotes • Related IOMFactsheet

eea Rcmedto N. 6 n oe Mgat okr (08, n te omte o Mgat Workers Migrant on Committee the and (2008), adopted GeneralCommentNo.1onMigrantDomesticWorkers (2011). Workers Migrant Women on 26 No. Recommendation General Workers (2011). In addition, the Committee on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women adopted Domestic for Work Decent concerning Convention the and (1990); Families Their of Members and Workers Migrant (1979); All of Women Rights the of Protection the against on Convention International the (1989); Child Discrimination the of Rights the on of Convention the Forms All of Elimination the on Convention the alia, inter includes, This Children, supplementing theUnited Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime such violence,accordingtotheCommitteeonElimination ofDiscriminationagainstWomen. Supporting theAbandonment ofFemale Genital MutilationintheContext ofMigration For a definition, see of cause major a is discrimination and discrimination gender-based of form a constitutes women against Violence orcrisissituations. factsheetdoesnotcoverviolenceagainstwomeninconflict This • • • • • • • • • • • and violenceby: discrimination from girls and migrant women protect to strives IOM activities, its frameworkof the In strengthening the knowledge base on all forms of violence against women through data collection, data through women against violence of forms all on base knowledge the strengthening and organizations, governments among collaborations and cooperation partnerships,strengthening and discussions policy migration international in issue key a as women against violence including programmes support for, and training prosecutorsimplementing police, and the designing inter alia, perpetuate or exacerbate not migration-related do capacitating that policymakers ensure policies to of migrant protection the to include in order policy- legislation their adapting in governments action-orientated, supporting with coupled programmes IOM of analysis through encouraging, promoting safe and legal migration and policies that regulate sectors in which women migrant workers migrant help to programmes empowerment and education rights human community implementing providing anddirect services assistance to migrant girlsandwomen victimsofviolence; to violence gender-based responses evidence-based multifaceted and of formulation the promoting research anddissemination of good practices to inform policyand strategy development. capacities; and women,in migrant order to maximize synergies, affecting experiences and expertiseand discrimination as well as make effective violence use of resources and against action taking stakeholders other promoting thecreation ofanenablingandengendered environment formigrant womenandmen; against migrant ofviolence that perpetrators and women donotenjoy impunity; assistance and redress justice, to access have women migrant that ensure to attachés labour and providers services social and health judges, and and prevention the support actively instead, and, women elimination ofviolenceagainst migrant women; migrant against violence of causes women intheirstrategies to combat violenceagainst women; ofthe phenomenon, prosecution oftheoffenders, prevention and protection ofthevictims; includes: that trafficking human to approach comprehensive a research, driven are employed; community leadership incombating violenceagainst women; womenbetter empowered be rights and their know and demand exerciseto ensure as as them, well factors, links andcorrelations; and discrimination against migrant women that go beyond the symptoms and address the underlying here orthe Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and IOM Policy Objectives

. 2007 SpecialRapporteur onViolenceagainst Women, itsCausesandConsequences 2006 United Nations Secretary-General 2013 United Nations HighCommissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) 2012 United Nations Entity forGender EqualityandtheEmpowerment of Women(UN Women) 2012 United NationsEconomicandSocialCouncil(ECOSOC) 2008 United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)/IOM et al. 2009 United Nations Department of Economic andSocialAffairs (UN DESA), Population Division 2009 Steibelt, E. 2009 Parliamentary AssemblyoftheCouncilEurope (PACE) 2006 London SchoolofHygiene &Tropical Medicine(LSHTM)/IOMet al. 2011 Jansen, S.&Spijkerboer,T. 2009 Jampaklay, et A. al. 2009 2006 1995 International Organization forMigration (IOM) 2009 European Parliament 2000 Dutton,A. et al. M. References Working to Prevent andAddressViolence against Women Migrant Workers http://publications.iom.int/bookstore/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=7&products_id=524 www.unhcr.org/refworld/pdfid/512c72ec2.pdf Too MuchPain: Female Genital Mutilation&Asylum intheEuropean Union-AStatistical Overview and-Girls.pdf unwomen.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/Report-of-the-EGM-on-Prevention-of-Violence-against-Women- General (E/CN.6/2013/3), safe mobilitywithdignity, equityandjustice HIV Rev.2008), Trends php?main_page=product_info&products_id=537 Nam”, in asp?Link=/documents/adoptedtext/ta09/eres1697.htm Migrant Adolescents Trafficked in Stolen Amsterdam, Universiteit report%20EN_tcm22-232205.pdf Vrije and Fleeing id=537 Asia Africa, Breaking europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?pubRef=-//EP//TEXT+TA+P6-TA-2009-0161+0+DOC+XML+V0//EN Victim%20Helpseeking2000.pdf iwp.legalmomentum.org/cultural-competency/research-publications/CULTCOMP_Georgetown-Imm%20 implications. policy and Legal SRWomen/Pages/AnnualReports.aspx Intersections womenwatch/daw/vaw/publications/English%20Study.pdf Ending Report on theExpertGroupMeeting onPrevention andGirls ofViolence (EGM/PP/2012/Report), Secretary- the of Report – violence to subjected girls and women for Responses and Services Multisectoral Viet Southern in workers factory migrant women Vietnamese for violence gender-based of context “The Thailand”, in to Myanmar and Laos Cambodia, from migration and “Gender Staff andProgramme Policies onGenderIssues,adopted at theSeventy-first SessionoftheCouncil EU(2008/2071(INI)), the in mutilation combating genital on female 2009 March 24 of Resolution immigrant Latinas: battered of needs service and resources, behaviors, help-seeking of Characteristics Vulnerabilities , IOM, pp. 193-216,

http://publications.iom.int/bookstore/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=7&products_id=125 Smiles: Violence Homophobia: in Women: Gender the International http://esa.un.org/migration/index.asp?panel=1

Cycle between A against and Summary At of of Particular Labour Migrant Asylum Vulnerability. http://publications.iom.int/bookstore/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_ Culture

Women: Migrant Europe, http://www.un.org/ga/search/view_doc.asp?symbol=E/CN.6/2013/3 Report Migration claims Women: Georgetown Risk

http://www.lshtm.ac.uk/php/ghd/docs/stolensmiles.pdf and from Stock: Responding on related from Violence From in the Words The Asia Domestic Physical , to http://www.rechten.vu.nl/nl/Images/Fleeing%20Homophobia%20 Asia Journal http://www2.undprcc.lk/resource_centre/pub_pdfs/P1097.pdf , IOM, pp. 217-261, 2008 sexual to

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Arab - Psychological Women Study States: (Resolution Needs (United Nations database POP/DB/MIG/Stock/ database Nations (United

of and Law , http://publications.iom.int/bookstore/index. the http://www.ohchr.org/EN/Issues/Women/ Shifting of gender and Trafficked Secretary-General , Health 1697) Policy from identity Gender , Consequences Vl 72, p 30-49, pp. 7(2), Vol. , http://assembly.coe.int/main. Women silence, in and Europe , stigma in

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7 Violence and discrimination against migrant women and girls