On December 4, as part of a partnership between the RAJA-Danièle Marcovici Foundation, the BNP Paribas Foundation, Synergies Migrations, and the Convergences Migrations Institute, a conference entitled “Women & Migration: What Are the Challenges of Visibility?” was held. The event focused on three crucial topics: the need to adopt a gendered perspective on migration, strengthening action to protect Afghan women, and recognizing the commitment and contributions of women in exile.
François Héran, Sophie Pouget and Matthieu Tardis
Understanding Gender and Migration
The issue of gender within migration highlights major social, political, and human challenges and exposes realities that are often overlooked. Current migration policies pose significant risks for women who face dual marginalization – both as women and as migrants – and whose experiences of violence and exclusion often go unacknowledged.
Historically, women’s migration was primarily perceived through the lens of family reunification, a view that no longer reflects reality. In 2022, 115,000 people applied for asylum in France for the first time, 41,500 of them women, of whom 45% arrived alone.
A Space for Dialogue and Testimony
Held at the Théâtre National de Chaillot, the conference brought together private-sector representatives, public institutions, NGOs, and journalists to discuss the visibility and recognition of migrant women. Experts and women in exile shared their experiences—marked by painful separation from their homeland and families, perilous journeys fraught with violence, and the barriers they face in pursuing personal and professional aspirations.
Speakers such as Dr. Ghada Hatem, Chief Physician at the Maison des femmes de Saint-Denis, and Hélène Bonvalot, Executive Director of the Primo Levi Centre, emphasized the importance of adapted psychological support. Their contributions shed light on the harsh reception conditions, the dangers inherent in migratory routes, and the recurrent violence experienced before, during, and after migration.
Focus on Afghan Women and Global Challenges
Afghan activist Parasto Hakim shared a moving account of her underground educational work for girls, while journalist and filmmaker Solène Chalvon-Fiori criticized the lack of action in response to the needs of Afghan women and girls.
Neda Noraie-Kia, European Head of Migration Policy at the Heinrich Böll Foundation, and Olivier Jacques, Regional Director at the Embassy of Canada in France, discussed integration and language-learning challenges for migrants. Jacques also presented a Canadian initiative providing financial assistance to newcomers, facilitating access to education and childcare—particularly beneficial for women.
Voices of Women in Exile
Women with firsthand migration experience, including Aïda Ghadar, Bernadette Rwegera, and Shayda Hessami, powerfully denounced practices such as forced marriage and the exclusion of women from peace negotiations in conflict zones. Their testimonies reflected courage, intelligence, and determination to advance—not only for themselves but also in solidarity with other exiled women and those who remain in their home countries.
Renewed Public Commitment
The conference reaffirmed the essential role of public authorities in supporting migrant women, complementing the vital work carried out by civil society organizations and grassroots initiatives.
