Challenges and Opportunities Faced by Returned Female Migrants Presentation by Fred Oladeinde, President The Foundation for Democracy in Africa 1612 K Street, NW, Suite 1104, Washington, DC (phone)

FDA and WHADN The Foundation for Democracy in Africa (FDA) Washington, DC-based, non-profit, 501(c)(3), non- governmental, non-partisan institution with offices in Miami, Florida Development organization committed to promoting democracy, sustainable development and economic growth throughout Africa Serves as the secretariat for the Western Hemisphere African Diaspora Network (WHADN) Western Hemisphere African Diaspora Network (WHADN) An African Union Initiative Founded during the First African Union Diaspora Forum to link the growing Diaspora populations with development efforts in Africa

Make-up of Female Migrants An estimated 90 million women worldwide are migrants Female migrants account for almost half of the international migrant population Poverty, war and other factors motivate females to leave their countries of origin and migrate Opportunities in countries of destination allow female migrants to support their families and development abroad through means such as remittances

Categories of Returned Female Migrants Forced Return Voluntary Return Refugee Resettlement Voluntary temporary or permanent return End of employment contract Deportation Legal troubles lead to expulsion Return to country of origin with humanitarian aid

Challenges and Opportunities Voluntary ReturnForced Return Refugee Resettlement Lack of support mechanisms in country of origin to: Ease reintegration process Capitalize on skills and capital gained while abroad No opportunity to plan for return Without family or other support, many are left destitute Weak and war-torn homes Few opportunities to develop due to: Severe lack of institutional support High unemployment Brain Gain for countries of origin Skills and capital gained used to develop SMEs For victims of trafficking, an opportunity to return to family and escape abuse With appropriate support, skills and capital gained used to develop SMEs Skills gained can be used to develop home countries Opportunity to participate in political rebuilding process

Recommendations Bilateral frameworks in countries of origin and destination should be developed to streamline migration process, particularly to enhance benefits of return UN conventions on the rights of migrants and refugees should be ratified NGOs, Community-based organizations and faith- based organizations in countries of origin and destination should provide guidance services for female migrants to ease reintegration process Hometown associations and Diaspora organizations should make female migration and easing reintegration of female migrants a greater focus of efforts