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An Urgent Appeal to States and Stakeholders to Support and Protect the Rights of Women Migrant Workers and Ensure Their Access to Justice

Solidarity Greetings!

Women migrant workers in the Asia-Pacific mainly work as domestic workers, nannies, and caregivers, along with jobs in the service sector, including entertainment and restaurants. Theyoften encounter tough situations, such as long hours, low pay, isolation, working in employers' homes, and poor conditions without a paid day off in a week.

Many women migrant workers experience physical, psychological, sexual, and verbal violence from employers or others. They are often exploited by recruitment agents or employers, who confiscate important documents and force them to work without adequate wages or with significant deductions from their wages. Women migrant workers have limited access to health services, including reproductive health, education, and other rights. They are often isolated from their communities and families, making them more vulnerable to exploitation and violence. Furthermore, many migrant women fall victim to scams or human trafficking and are then trapped in forced labor.

Amidst these situations, migrant women often lack adequate rights and access to justice. They experience obstacles due to a lack of information and limited knowledge of laws and rights, language barriers, fear of deportation or retaliation, lack of legal protection and access to legal aid and representation, and cultural and social norms that perpetuate inequality. This demonstrates a lack of protection and of services available to migrants, especially women migrants.

On International Migrants Day 2025, Network for the Protection of Women Migrants' Rights (NPWMR) calls on governments in both origin and destination countries to protect and ensure women migrants’ rights and access to justice. We call on governments to address systematic barriers and harmful policies that undermine the fundamental rights and labor protection of migrants, especially women. Ensuring the human rights of migrants involves strong commitment
On International Migrants Day 2025, Network for the Protection of Women Migrants' Rights (NPWMR) calls on governments in both origin and destination countries to protect and ensure women migrants’ rights and access to justice. We call on governments to address systematic barriers and harmful policies that undermine the fundamental rights and labor protection of migrants, especially women. Ensuring the human rights of migrants involves a strong commitment

With the increased prominence of right-wing politics, it is also critical to address issues like racism, xenophobia and gender discrimination because these systemic inequalities put migrants, particularly women, at risk of exploitation and criminalisation. We urge governments to take decisive action to safeguard the rights and dignity of all migrants.

Leveraging international instruments on migration and other human rights treaties, all migrant workers who face labor rights violations, including forced labor or human trafficking, should have access to effective remedies, such as compensation, regardless of their status or the type of employment they hold. This support should not depend on their willingness to cooperate in criminal and other legal cases. However, these services often lack enough resources and proper training to meet the needs of migrants. Thus, there is a need to channel sufficient resources to fund services for migrants and the communities that support them.

NPWMR invites all organizations and networks to work together in ensuring women migrants' rights and access to justice through advocacy and campaigns and solidarity. NPWMR stands with migrant women in fighting for, defending, and promoting the rights of women migrants.

The Network for the Protection of Women Migrants' Rights (NPWMR) is issuing this statement in commemoration of International Migrants Day 2025. NPWMR is a regional network of regional organizations and alliances focused on the issue of women migrants. NPWMR works closely with national and sub-regional organizations and alliances in advocating and campaigning for women migrants' issues and demands. Members of the NPWMR are Asia Pacific Forum on Women, Law and Development (APWLD), Asia Pacific Mission for Migrants (APMM), Coordination of Action Research on AIDS and Mobility (CARAM Asia), Global Alliance Against Traffic in Women (GAATW) Asia Pacific, International Women’s Alliance (IWA) Asia Pacific, Migrante International and GABRIELA Philippines

⚠️ Official Alert: Suspicious Website Using CARAM Asia’s Old Domain

Dear Members and Visitors,

We have identified a suspicious website that appears to be using information from CARAM Asia’s old, inactive domain. Please be aware that our current official website (www.caram-asia.org) is secure, and there has been no breach of our systems. The suspicious site may attempt to mislead visitors by requesting personal information or donations.

For your safety, do not provide personal details or make donations on the suspicious website. It is not affiliated with CARAM Asia, and any funds sent will not reach us. Always use our official website and verified social media channels for information and contributions.

Website URL: https://www.caramasia.org/, link to the suspicious website, along with its cover page screenshot, has been attached to help you identify and avoid it.

Social Media Tools to Support Advocacy Efforts

As the July 18 deadline on the rescissions package approaches, Global Health Council has created social media content to amplify messages opposing the cuts. We encourage the community to use the following material in your ongoing advocacy against the package.

Rescissions Social Media_070825 A story told with Adobe Express

Dear All CARAM Asia members,

Greetings to all of you.

I hope everyone is doing well.

CARAM (NPWMR), Asia is one of the founding members of the Network for Protection of Women Migrants' Rights, along with other regional and global networks. Since the inception of NPWMR we have been advocating for Mary Jane’s release as she is a victim of trafficking. Last year, I shared a statement for endorsement. Many of you enforced it generously. Since we launched the advocacy campaign for her case, there have been several updates and developments. However, we still need to continue efforts for her release from imprisonment.

In this regard, the Network for the Protection of Women Migrants Rights (NPWMR) is calling for the endorsement of its statement that was released during the commemoration of 15 years of Mary Jane’s detention in prison last April 25, 2025. The calling for the endorsement is part of the Global Month of Action to Free Mary Jane, happening from April 25 to May 25, 2025.

Please read the statement here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Q4rhs4djmFbvDuNsBu7MMDsBMTagMKc_/edit?pli=1&tab=t.0


Please endorse the statement by filling out this form: https://bit.ly/FreeMJVendorsement

At the end of the Global Month of Action to Free Mary Jane, the NPWMR is going to release the updates of the endorsement and calling for the complete and full of freedom of Mary Jane Veloso.

NPWMR also produces an information material on MJV, please read it here: https://bit.ly/MJVInformationMaterial

We would also like to inquire your assistance to distribute and gather massive endorsement to this statement.

For your assistance and attention, thank you very much.

In Solidarity,
Dewi Amelia
NPWMR Convenor
and
Musarrat Perveen
Regional Coordinator
CARAM ASIA BERHAD
Wisma Hamid Arshat,
12-5, Jalan Bangsar Utama 9, Bangsar Utama
59000 Kuala Lumpur
MALAYSIA
Tel: +603 22821669
Fax: +603 22821155
Website: http://caram-asia.org

CARAM Asia - Coordination of Action Research on AIDs and Mobility. incorporates a rights basedapproach in promoting and protecting migrants’ health and labour rights with focus on HIV, Srhr, and violence against women workers

CARAM Asia Statement on the Occasion of International Migrants Day 2024 ✊🌍

Today, we honor the resilience, contributions, and rights of migrant workers who drive global development and enrich societies in the world.

📄Read our statement, "Building an Equitable Future for Migrants: Rights, Recognition, and Resilience", where we highlight their invaluable role, the challenges they face, and key recommendations for safe and equitable migration.

Let’s stand together for a future where every migrant is recognized, respected, and protected. ❤

World AIDS Day, 1st December, is more than just a day... 🌍
It’s an ongoing commitment to fighting stigma, promoting awareness, and supporting those affected by HIV/AIDS. Read our full statement and stand with us. 💜

📢 CARAM Asia's Participation in the 2024 International AIDS Conference

📢 CARAM Asia has been Awarded the Title of "Migrant Human Rights & Empowerment Advocates of the Year 2024". Please view it here: https://www.acquisition-international.com/winners/caram-asia/.

📢 Expanding CARAM Asia's Reach and Impact with the Global Health Council (GHC)

CARAM Asia Statement on the occasion of the International Migrants Day (IMD) 2023