GenMig – the Gender and Migration Research Policy Action Lab – is a new multistakeholder initiative under the leadership of IOM Deputy Director General for Operations, Ugochi Daniels, which is focused on impact research for supporting gender-responsive policies, operations, programming and practices in migration.

While everyone should have the same opportunities for safe and regular migration in dignity, research highlights continuing systemic gender inequalities throughout the migration cycle. Building on IOM’s expertise and wide network, GenMig is committed to support the many actors involved in migration to improve gender equality for the benefit of migrants, as well as societies of origin and destination. The initiative also supports the realization of the 2030 Agenda for the Sustainable Development (particularly SDGs 5 and 10) and the implementation of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration.

Designed as a highly collaborative venture, GenMig brings together a global network of partners from research institutions, governments, intergovernmental organizations, non-governmental organizations and the private sector committed to gender equality.

Stay tuned for updates on GenMig, including its official launch in 2023 by regularly visiting this page and via our regular MailChimp updates (subscribe here). Fore more information, please contact research@iom.int.

GenMig is financially supported by:

Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada.  Mirac Logo

Background

The gap between male and female international migrants is growing. As highlighted in the World Migration Report 2022, in 2000, 49.4 per cent of international migrants were female, while in 2020 this proportion had declined to 47.9 per cent. In other words, in the last 20 years, the share of female migrants decreased by 1.4 per cent and the share of male migrants increased by 1.3 per cent. Click here to watch a short video

As part of broader socioeconomic, technological and geopolitical transformations occurring globally, the gender-related impacts of international migration and mobility are widening and deepening right the way through the migration cycle affecting the people who migrate but also those who remain in (or return to) origin countries.

For previous research published by IOM on the topic, see the resources & tools at the bottom of this page.

GenMig Partners

GenMig gathers partners from research institutions, governments, intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations and the private sector. Partners are like-minded institutions and individuals committed to gender equality in migration and supporting impact research for systemic change in policies, operations, programming and practices in migration.

Partnering with GenMig enables you to join a wide network that supports GenMig impact globally. Partners benefit from a range of GenMig activities and IOM support, including:

  • Closed multi-stakeholder dialogues and discussions on key issues, gender priorities and effective actions
  • GenMig webinar series on the latest developments and findings in research on gender and migration
  • Support to specific public/private events (upon request)
  • Policy briefs, case studies and other impact research outputs to inform policies, operations, programming and practices
  • Connections to IOM’s global field operations
  • Access to GenMig partners

Interested partners are welcome to contact research@iom.int.

Find out more information below on GenMig partners. Partnership is not formal nor formalized and does not imply any obligations nor financial support on the part of GenMig partners.

GenMig partners include:

Mentions of GenMig

Statement by the Director General Amy Pope, 114th session of the IOM Council, 27 November 2023:

Over the last year, more than 5,300 migrants have lost their lives. Those are only the ones we know of. The number could actually be higher. And, together, by creating more regular pathways, we can increase public confidence that migration is well-managed, not chaotic, and that most importantly we can together contribute to the development of the migrant herself, the country that is hosting her and the country she is coming from.

Now, I am using “she” deliberately because we know that a key component of facilitating regular pathways involves helping women and girls. We know, for example, that women migrant workers send a greater share of their wages back to their countries of origin than their male counterparts do -- sorry guys -- driving human development in their communities.

That’s why IOM is launching the gender and migration research lab. or GenMig, which is focused on building opportunities for women, by enabling women as drivers of change, not just as victims of exploitation.

 

Statement by Israel, 114th session of the IOM Council, November 2023:

Israel would like to thank the Director General for her report. We welcome, in particular, the launch of the Gender and Migration Research Policy Action Lab (GenMig), and the publication of the first global technical guidance for administrative data on trafficking in persons.

 

Statement by Italy114th session of the IOM Council, November 2023:

We welcome the attention IOM is giving to a gender-based approach to migration, for example through the launch of its new multi-stakeholder initiative “the Gender and Migration Research Policy Action Lab”.

 

Statement by Mongolia, 114th session of the IOM Council, November 2023:

Mongolia applauds the IOM’s recent initiative, the Gender and Migration Research Policy Action Lab (GenMig) led by Ms. Ugochi Florence Daniels, Deputy-Director General for Operation of IOM, aimed at addressing [sic] gender inequalities in migration.

 

Statement by the Republic of Namibia, 114th session of the IOM Council, November 2023:

Namibia welcomes the launch of the Gender and Migration Research Policy Action Lab which focuses on impact research for supporting gender responsive policies, operations, programming, and practices in migration. Skilled female migrant workers often face difficulties in finding employment commensurate with their education when relocating to a new country. They are offered jobs in the informal economy such as domestic work or care work. These systemic gender inequalities produce deskilled and underemployed female migrant workers. It further crushes their hope to regain their professional status. We trust that this initiative will facilitate evidence-based policy and action to address gender inequalities among female migrant workers.

 

Statement by Norway, 114th session of the IOM Council, November 2023:

Norway appreciates your focus on evidence-based policy development, among others by strengthening the Global Data Centre and establishing the GenMig initiative.

 

Statement by the United Kingdom, 114th session of the IOM Council, November 2023:

The Global Compact for Migration provides an important framework for meeting these objectives. The UK welcomes IOM’s role in driving forward its implementation. We also welcome the newly established Gender and Migration Research Policy Action Lab. So many of the challenges migrants face are dependent upon whether they are women or men, girls or boys. It is vital to consider gender sensitivity, gender perspective in discussions on migration and we look forward to further engagement with this initiative.

 

Statement by the European Union, 114th session of the IOM Council, November 2023:

The EU and its Member States believe that an additional effort must be made to guarantee a gender-responsive approach to the internal organization of IOM and the formulation and implementation of projects. We look forward to an updated version of the 2015 Gender Equality Policy to reflect this and we appreciate the recent launch of the Gender and Migration Research Policy Action Lab (GenMig).