Beyond Borders: Stigmas and Challenges in the Inclusion of Migrant Women in Latin America and the Caribbean.

In Latin America and the Caribbean, migrant women face unique challenges in their inclusion, marked not only by common migration barriers but also by gender stigmas and discrimination. These women represent approximately half of the migratory flows in the region, with a significant presence in the labor market, though often under conditions of lower quality compared to their male counterparts and native women. Through a comprehensive analysis that includes public perception surveys, evaluations of migrant women’s experiences, and a quantitative analysis of integration indicators, the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) report unveils the depth of these stigmas and the specific challenges that hinder their full integration.

The report highlights the importance of inclusive policies specifically aimed at addressing the needs of migrant women, including fighting labor discrimination and ensuring equitable access to health and education services. It underlines how stereotypes and biases negatively influence public perception of these women, affecting their socioeconomic integration and limiting their personal and professional development opportunities.

The report emphasizes the need for a greater understanding and recognition of the contributions of migrant women to the societies they become part of. It argues that overcoming stigmas and promoting effective inclusion benefits not only migrant women individually but also culturally and economically enriches the communities that welcome them, fostering social cohesion and joint development.

The IDB underlines the importance of the private sector in creating safer and more equitable environments for migrant women, through policies in favor of gender equity, awareness spaces that challenge harmful stereotypes, and promote a deeper and more empathetic understanding of female migration.