Honoring Migrant Resilience and Advancing Women’s Safety | International Migrants Day 2025, Ethiopia

In Addis Ababa, Population Media Center (PMC) Ethiopia, in partnership with UN Women, commemorated International Migrants Day 2025 by convening government representatives, researchers, and advocates to reflect on migration as a journey shaped by hope, risk, and resilience. Guided by the theme of solidarity and shared responsibility, the event placed a strong emphasis on the safety, rights, and dignity of women migrants, highlighting gender-specific risks, government commitments to protect migrants and support returnees, and evidence from formative research and academic studies on the socio-economic contributions of women migrants.
The dialogue brought together diverse perspectives to examine the realities of migration through a gender and human rights lens. Participants underscored the importance of coordinated action among policymakers, development partners, researchers, and media practitioners to ensure migration pathways that are safe, informed, and dignified.
Key highlights of the event included:
Leadership perspectives:
Mr. Schadrack Dusabe, UN Women Ethiopia, emphasized the gender-specific risks women face along migration pathways, while Ato Dereje Tegyebelu from the Ministry of Women and Social Affairs reaffirmed the Government of Ethiopia’s commitment to protecting migrants and strengthening support for returnees.
Research into action:
Findings from the Formative Audience Research (FAR), presented by Grace Consultancy, provided practical insights into strategies for keeping women migrants safe, informed, and respected.
Recognizing women’s contributions:
A study by Addis Ababa University highlighted the significant socio-economic contributions of migrant women to Ethiopia’s development, reinforcing the need to recognize and protect their role in national progress.
A human rights lens on migration:
In his opening remarks, Dr. Hailegnaw Eshete of PMC Ethiopia noted that migration is not merely the movement of people, but a journey deeply shaped by human rights, resilience, and risk, particularly for women navigating irregular routes.
Speakers and advocates consistently emphasized that while migration is a global reality, safety must be guaranteed locally. Through evidence-based programming, strategic media engagement, and policy dialogue, PMC Ethiopia and its partners continue to advance migration pathways grounded in dignity, protection, and informed choice, never danger.
Voices from the event
“Migration policies must be gender responsive. Women migrants often face compounded risks, including gender-based violence. Our goal is to ensure migration becomes a pathway to empowerment, not desperation.” Mr. Schadrack Dusabe, UN Women Ethiopia
“We are building more than policies; we are building a safety net. Together with partners, we are strengthening protection, reintegration, and opportunity for returnees.” Ato Dereje Tegyebelu, Ministry of Women and Social Affairs
“By leveraging local-language media and community engagement, we are reshaping the narrative toward safe and legal migration, grounded in evidence and lived experiences.”

Dr. Hailegnaw Eshete, PMC Ethiopia Representative
The event concluded with a renewed call for gender-responsive policies, research-driven interventions, and the strategic use of media and community engagement to promote safe, informed, and dignified migration for women and all migrants.