Towards Safer Journeys: Migrant women and children’s experiences of separation, going missing or dying

Abstract

As women and children around the world continue to migrate, many do so under dangerous circumstances that render them vulnerable to violence, exploitation and other risks, including the risk of becoming separated, going missing or dying during their journeys. Despite this reality, and the growing recognition that gender and age shape many aspects of migration, there is little data and analysis that systematically and directly addresses how and why migrant women and children become separated or go missing. To better understand and respond to this issue, the Red Cross Red Crescent Global Migration Lab together with the ICRC Central Tracing Agency’s Red Cross Red Crescent Missing Persons Centre and 17 National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, undertook qualitative research with migrants, primarily women and children, families of missing migrants and key informants in the Americas, Africa, and Europe. The purpose of the project was to listen to migrants’ perceptions and experiences of threats and risks related to becoming separated, going missing or dying, and to support National Societies to ensure their migration programs and humanitarian diplomacy and advocacy are informed by migrants’ voices and expertise.