Journal Citation:
24(3) HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDER, 33-34 (2015)
The article analyzes the unequal human
rights conditions women migrants face,
despite the growing recognition of their
role as an essential economic element of
the transnational household. The author
looks at the UN Convention of the
Protection of the Rights of All Migrant
Workers and Members of their Families
(ICRMW) and calls for human rights to be
interpreted in a way that redresses the
power imbalances between men and women.
She points to the evolution of ILO
conventions as highlighting the need to
develop mechanisms to provide access to
social security contributions for women as
autonomous workers. A broad interpretation
of social security and social protection
as rights benefits vulnerable migrants,
such as women, undocumented or irregular
workers, who are excluded from more
traditional contributions-based social
protection tied to formal, long-term
employment.