Exploratory Study Looks at Migration Impact on Nicaraguan Women
A new study by IOM and the UN's Population Fund (UNFPA) presented
today in Nicaragua sheds light on the impact that migration has on
women and encourages sound policies to uphold their human rights.
The IOM /UNFPA exploratory study examines the migratory patterns of
Nicaraguan women who migrate to Costa Rica, focusing on the
problems they face as women migrants, and provides recommendations
to make their experience more positive.
Nicaraguan women interviewed for this study overwhelmingly say
they decided to migrate to escape poverty and lack of jobs at home
and to find better paid jobs in Costa Rica. Other reasons for
migrating included fleeing domestic violence and an idealistic
perception of life in Costa Rica.
"Many women, like me, thought that there were plenty of jobs in
Costa Rica, and that we were going to be treated well. But when we
arrived, we realized this was not the case at all," confirms one
interviewee.
Another migrant woman in Costa Rica recalls her domestic
nightmare: "He had his house and family, but he would not leave me
in peace. One day he put a gun to my head and told me that I
would never leave him. That is why I had to leave
Nicaragua."
How does migration impact a woman's daily life? For the most
part the experience has had negative impacts, because the majority
of the women interviewed are irregular migrants and therefore more
vulnerable to exploitation and abuse. The women confirmed
they were exploited by their employers and felt more vulnerable as
women. They also cited a difficult time accessing health and
reproductive health services, as well as housing or shelter
programmes.
The women interviewed also felt they had paid a high emotional
price because they were forced to leave their children and extended
families behind. Being a woman meant an increased sense of
guilt, as they are expected to be there for their children; many
confirmed this causes depression and anxiety.
The authors recommend the creation of a bi-national committee to
create policies, including access to health and other social
services irrespective of a person's migratory status; the creation
of jobs and investment opportunities in the country of origin;
sustainable and dignified return to Nicaragua; the set up of a
shelter in Costa Rica for migrant women in need; implementation of
an information campaign, aimed at the Costa Rican public, on the
positive aspects of migration; and strengthening hometown
associations, amongst others.
The full report, in Spanish can be found on the IOM website at:
"/jahia/webdav/shared/shared/mainsite/media/docs/reports/informe_final_estudio.pdf"
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For more information, please contact:
Berta Fernández
Email:
"mailto:bfernandez@iom.int">bfernandez@iom.int
or
Brenda de Trinidad
IOM Managua
Tel.: +505.278.9569 or
E-mail:
"mailto:brendadetrinidad@yahoo.es">brendadetrinidad@yahoo.es