Statement on the Occasion of International Migrants' Day

Today, as we commemorate International Migrants’ Day, we acknowledge the millions of brave men, women and children—an estimated 195 million worldwide, more than 3 per cent of the population—who have left their homelands in search of better lives.

Today, every country in the world is affected by migration and migrants themselves come from a broad spectrum of cultural, ethnic, economic and social backgrounds. Our challenge is to ensure that migrants can fulfil their own aspirations and contribute to progress both in the countries to which they have travelled and those they have left behind. Progress is best assured by policies and laws that promote mutual understanding and respect for human rights.

With about half of all migrants being women, it is necessary to focus on issues of gender equality. Migrant women tend to be concentrated in traditionally female occupations and unregulated sectors of the economy where they face greater risk of exploitation and abuse, including human trafficking. There is a need for policies and laws that promote and protect their human rights. There is also a need to recognize the substantial contributions women migrants make both in destination countries, where they provide services that benefit families and economies, and in their home countries where they send a substantial portion of their earnings to improve their communities and the lives of family members.

This is the message of UNFPA’s The State of World Population 2006 report, which focuses on women and international migration. The report also calls for equal access to legal and health services, including reproductive health services, for migrant populations.

Today, on International Migrants’ Day, let us stand up for the human rights of all people, including those who migrate. By taking a stand against discrimination and abuse, we can reduce human suffering and foster social cohesion to the benefit of everyone.  

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