Today, on International Women’s Day (IWD 2022), the International Organization for Migration (IOM) reaffirms its commitment to gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls around the world, including those on the move. 

In alignment with the theme for the United Nations Observance of IWD 2022, Gender equality today for a sustainable tomorrow, IOM has set its own internal theme: Climate change and migration: A matter of gender equality.  

We have learnt that gender is one of the most important factors shaping the migration journey, including environmental migration. From the motives of migrating and the challenges they face along the way, to the opportunities available at destination, gender affects every step of the way. Structural barriers to gender equality such as gender roles, dependence on natural resources, and gendered division of labour in households and communities, continue to hinder women and girls to effectively prepare for and respond to climate impacts. 

At the same time, women are active agents of change and transformation. They lead the way on climate change adaptation, mitigation, and response, to build a more sustainable future for all. 

To address various needs of migrants of all gender and age groups and ensure the effectiveness of our collective efforts in environmental migration, IOM is committed to promote gender-sensitive and human rights-based approaches for migration management, policies and practice in the context of climate change. We need to ensure gender equality and diversity inclusion in the decision-making process and implementation of policies and programmes in all spheres and at all stages of environmental migration.  

Online training module “Gender Equality and Migration”