An international exchange seminar was held in Dakar from 5 to 8 April 2025 on the theme: “Women at the centre of the convergence of trade union and association action for gender mainstreaming in migration policies and programmes”.
Promoted by the Groupe Femmes of the RSMMS network within the framework of the Strategic Plan 2025-2027, the seminar aims to strengthen the integration of the gender perspective in migration policies through the synergy between trade union and association action.
The focus is on the central role of migrant women, who are often excluded from social protection, security and economic opportunities. The overall objective is to improve the understanding of the gender dimension in migration policies in order to promote more just and inclusive policies.
The programme is structured around four fundamental axes of reflection:
- Migration as a gender phenomenon – analysis of the current situation, methodologies and practices;
- The impact of migration policies and dialogue with institutions;
- The alliance between women’s movements for effective protection of migrants;
- The autonomisation of migrant women’s communities and their integration.
The seminar facilitates the exchange of experiences between some 40-50 participants from 11 countries (Senegal, Morocco, Tunisia, Lebanon, Spain, Italy, Côte d’Ivoire, Mali, Benin, Niger), including NGOs, institutions, trade unions, representatives of public bodies and partner organisations, such as the National Union of Autonomous Trade Unions of Senegal (UNSAS) and the Réseau d’Appui aux Femmes et Enfants en Migration (RAFEM).
Planned activities include thematic sessions, field visits and working groups to develop concrete recommendations. All this takes place in continuity with the recommendations of the Cotonou Conference (Benin, 25-26 July 2024), with the aim of contributing to the construction of a new, fairer social contract for migrant women.
The partner in this initiative is PROMIG – Friedrich Ebert Stiftung Tunisia.
Annex