To commemorate ‘16 Days of Activism’ against Gender-based Violence, UN Women and ILO today launched a Training Module on Coordinated Quality Services for Frontline Service Providers which provides guidelines for responding to women migrant workers experiencing gender-based violence (GBV). The module has been rolled out in West Java to train the Trafficking in Person Taskforce, women’s organizations, organizations of migrant workers, and recruitment agencies.

The module emphasizes the importance of a victim-centric approach that empowers victims and puts them as the main subject of the services. It also aims to provide knowledge and skills for the service providers on how to communicate effectively with the victims and avoid stigmatizing and judging statements.

In Indonesia, women migrant workers make up to 60% of the total migrant workers . Migration can be beneficial for all actors involved. Migrant women are able to access higher paid jobs, whilst increasing their agency and improving their position in the family and community. Increasingly, women migrant workers are recognized for their contributions to local and community development in countries of origin and destination. According to the study from World Bank in 2016, Indonesian migrant workers sent remittances valued at USD 8.3 billion (Rp 118 trillion).

“Despite their significant contribution to the national and local economy, many women migrant workers face the risk of violence, discrimination and exploitation throughout the migration cycle. Furthermore, they also face numerous barriers in accessing support and services that respond to their needs. We trust that this module will be relevant and useful for the Frontline Service Providers to guide and support women migrant workers to protect and realize their rights to be free from violence,” said Jamshed Kazi, UN Women Representative.

“Women migrant workers are human. We want to be treated well and for our rights to be respected. We are working abroad because we want to make a good living for our family,” Ida Neni Wahyuni, returned migrant worker.

"The time is now to Ending Violence against Women Migrant Workers! Safe and Fair programme is enabling the environment to ensure their voices heard and rights protected. Let’s work together for a safer, fairer, and wider access to decent work for all Indonesia women and men migrant worker," said Ms. Michiko Miyamoto, Country Director of ILO Indonesia and Timor-Leste.

Addressing women migrant workers' vulnerabilities to violence, trafficking and labour exploitation and ensuring that labour migration is safe and fair is the main objective of the Safe and Fair: Realizing women migrant workers’ rights and opportunities in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), a UN Women and International Labour Organization (ILO) joint programme generously supported by the European Union. Under this programme UN Women is focusing on improving the situations of women migrant workers so they are less vulnerable to violence and trafficking, strengthening their agency and optimize benefits from coordinated responsive quality services.

About UN Women

UN Women is the United Nations organization dedicated to gender equality and the empowerment of women. A global champion for women and girls, the organization was established in 2010 to accelerate progress on women’s rights worldwide. UN Women’s efforts are based on the fundamental belief that every woman has the right to live a life free from violence, poverty, and discrimination, and that gender equality is a prerequisite to achieving global development.

About ILO

The only tripartite United Nations.agency, since 1919 the ILO brings together governments, employers and workers of 187 member States , to set labour standards, develop policies and devise programmes promoting decent work for all women and men. The International Labour Organization (ILO) is devoted to promoting social justice and internationally recognized human and labour rights, pursuing its founding mission that social justice is essential to universal and lasting peace.

For further information, please contact:

Gita Lingga
ILO's Communications Officer
Email: gita@ilo.org
Media contact:
UN Women : Radhiska Anggiana, radhiska.anggiana@unwomen.org, 08121347144
ILO : Gita Lingga, gita@ilo.org, 021 – 391-31-12