Senior Reporter 
A new initiative launched by the European Union (EU) and the United Nations (UN) is set to improve the rights and conditions of women migrant workers and children in Southeast Asia.
A new initiative launched by the European Union (EU) and the United Nations (UN) is set to improve the rights and conditions of women migrant workers and children in Southeast Asia. The Protect initiative, funded with €13 million ($14.08 million), aims to strengthen the rights of women migrant workers, children, and at-risk groups in Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand over three years. This project builds on the success of previous EU-funded projects focused on migrant rights in the ASEAN region.
Vulnerabilities Faced by Women Migrant Workers and Children
Migrant workers in Southeast Asia, particularly women and children, face a myriad of challenges including labour exploitation, human trafficking, violence, and harassment. Women migrant workers often find themselves in informal sectors with temporary jobs and minimal social protection. Children accompanying migrant workers are at high risk of abuse, exploitation, and trafficking, with limited access to child protection services.
The Protect Initiative: Goals and Objectives
The Protect initiative aims to promote decent work and reduce vulnerabilities by ensuring labour rights, preventing violence against women and children, and combating human trafficking and migrant smuggling. The project will leverage the lessons learned from previous EU-funded projects to strengthen laws and policies, enhance capacities and mechanisms, and improve access to information and services for the target groups.
Implementing Partners and Strategies
The Protect project is being implemented by four UN agencies: the International Labour Organization (ILO), the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women), the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). These agencies will collaborate with relevant stakeholders in the four Southeast Asian countries to achieve the project’s objectives.
The Role of the Private Sector and Civil Society
The initiative emphasizes the importance of engaging the private sector in dialogues on human rights and due diligence to create safe and decent workspaces, especially for women in high-risk industries. Civil society organizations play a crucial role in advocating for the rights and protection of women migrant workers and children, ensuring their voices are heard in policy discussions and implementation.
Statements from UN Representatives
Gita Sabharwal, the UN Resident Coordinator, highlighted the importance of protecting vulnerable migrant women and children, emphasizing that safe migration with decent work enriches ASEAN by promoting sustainable growth and raising living standards. Alia El-Yassir, UN Women regional director, stressed the urgency of addressing violence and harassment against women migrant workers in Southeast Asia. Debora Comini, UNICEF regional director, emphasized the need for child-sensitive migration policies and practices to protect the rights and best interests of every child.
The EU-UN Protect initiative is a significant step towards improving the rights and conditions of women migrant workers, children, and at-risk groups in Southeast Asia. By promoting decent work and reducing vulnerabilities, the project aims to create safer and more sustainable migration pathways, benefiting millions of households in the region.
