II: Women, climate disasters and migration
1. Navigating Migration Routes: Challenges Women Face
Women undertaking migration journeys confront a distinctive set of vulnerabilities arising from the convergence of factors such as gender, age, disability, ethnicity or race and parental status. Amidst these intersections, they consistently encounter heightened risks to their safety and well-being. This exposes them to various forms of violence, exploitation, and abuse, encompassing issues such as human trafficking, sexual harassment,and forced labour. Moreover, insufficient access to critical resources compounds the challenges faced by women on migration journeys. This includes the limited availability of sanitation facilities, hygiene products, sexual and reproductive healthcare, as well as general healthcare services. These inadequacies intensify their precarious situation, affecting both their physical health and overall well-being. The absence of gender-sensitive services and resources along migration routes creates barriers for women seeking shelter, food, healthcare and legal assistance tailored to their specific needs. This unequal access not only heightens their vulnerabilities to abuse but also perpetuates and increases cycles of disadvantage and inequality.