Women on the move speak out: Without their voices, there are no just migration policies

On the occasion of 18 December - International migrants day, the Advocacy group of migrant women in Serbia, in partnership with NGO Atina, had the opportunity to meet with H.E. Anne Lugon-Moulin, Ambassador of Switzerland to the Republic of Serbia.

Eleven women with lived experience of migration, who today actively participate in shaping public policies and advocating for systemic change, agreed on one central message of the meeting: equal education for all must be the foundation of any just migration policy. Without it, for women, girls, and children on the move, there can be no genuine integration, empowerment, or sustainable solutions. Without a trauma-informed, gender-sensitive, and participatory approach, policies remain empty frameworks that fail to protect those they are meant to serve.

This visit was not ceremonial. It was a political and symbolic affirmation that the experiences of women on the move must be placed at the very center of migration, protection, and integration policies. The meeting created space for an open and direct conversation about the real challenges migrant women face in Serbia, the region, and beyond, from insecure legal status, isolation, and poverty to systemic barriers in accessing work, protection, justice, and support.

The women’s advocacy group: From lived experience to collective change

A particular focus of the meeting was the work of the Women’s Advocacy Group, comprising 11 women with migration experience who have undergone a long process of empowerment and now serve as advocates for women's rights. Their testimonies clearly demonstrated that migration is not a neutral process, but a deeply gendered reality, in which women and girls are exposed to multiple forms of violence, control, and exclusion.

For this reason, their experience today must become an integral part of public policy, rather than remain on the margins of the system. Members of the Advocacy Group discussed their collaboration with institutions, international organizations, and decision-makers, emphasizing that without equal access to rights, women on the move remain trapped in cycles of dependency, poverty, and invisibility.

Swiss support: A partnership based on values and accountability

The visit of the Swiss Ambassador represents a strong signal of the consistent and long-term support Switzerland provides to initiatives focused on protecting the rights of migrant women and combating human trafficking and gender-based violence. During the meeting, the importance of long-term partnerships was highlighted, particularly investments in organizations that work directly with women and recognize practice-based knowledge as essential for systemic change.

The discussion also referenced the ongoing project implemented by Atina with the support of the Swiss Embassy, “Together for Her: Community-Based Protection and Empowerment – Comprehensive Support for Migrant and Refugee Women.”

On this occasion, NGO Atina presented its integrated model of work with women on the move, which connects direct assistance, legal and psychosocial support, economic empowerment, access to education, and women's active involvement in advocacy at the local, national, and international levels. This model is grounded in trust, dignity, and rights, and recognizes women as agents of solutions, not passive beneficiaries.

The Message of International migrants day

On this day, Atina reminds us that migration is not a problem to be controlled but a reality that must be understood and shaped justly. Migrant women are not statistics; they are carriers of knowledge, resilience, and social change. NGO Atina continues to stand with migrant women, not only today, but every day, in the fight for equal rights to work, formal and non-formal education, safety, dignity, and freedom of choice.

International Migrants Day, observed on 18 December, was established by the United Nations to highlight the rights, dignity, and contributions of millions of people living and working outside their countries of origin. Around the world, the day is marked by discussions, public events, campaigns, and meetings that place the experiences of migrants at the center, especially those in the most vulnerable positions: women, children, and individuals exposed to violence, exploitation, and human trafficking. The message of this day is clear: migration is not an exception, but a global reality, and equal, accessible, and quality education for all is one of the key responsibilities of states and societies.

Photos from the event: Žene u pokretu govore: bez njihovog glasa nema pravednih migracionih politika | atina

This news piece was produced within the project “Together for Her: Community-Based Protection and Empowerment - Comprehensive Support for Migrant and Refugee Women,” implemented with the support of Switzerland. Atina bears sole responsibility for the content, which does not necessarily reflect the official views of Switzerland.