(AGENPARL) – BRUXELLES mer 24 maggio 2023 Migrant women play an increasingly important socio-economic role in the European Union (EU). Once mostly seen as partners joining migrant men, foreign-born women increasingly migrate alone in search of work. Globally, although around half of migrants are nowadays women, their integration in host societies is often problematic. This is partly due to obstacles resulting from the institutional framework of host countries. A migrant woman’s status – i.e. whether she is legally or irregularly resident – is likely to shape her migration experience. Those who migrate for work are expected to ‘fill the gaps’ in the labour market. Often this means working in low-paid and unregulated sectors of the economy, where they are likely to be over-qualified. Employment and legal status are inter-related: both have an impact on the migrant woman’s access to public services. Yet many migrant women, especially those with young children, face barriers to accessing the labour market. The European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE) confirms that migrant women are more likely to be unemployed or economically inactive than any other group in the EU labour market. While EU legal instruments prohibit discrimination based on sex or race, both the European Parliament and civil society organisations point to the lack of a gender dimension in EU policies. Most EU Member States’ national integration policies do not prioritise migrant women, although some address them as a way to promote gender equality. Many countries have acknowledged the need for more gender-sensitive policies and initiated good practices focused on helping migrant women access the labour market and integrate in society.

Fonte : © Unione europea, 2023 – PE

Fonte/Source: https://www.europarl.europa.eu/thinktank/it/document/EPRS_BRI(2023)747905