Migration has many faces. It has an impact on those who leave and those who stay. Girls and young women are particularly at risk of falling into exploitative conditions and experiencing gender-based violence (GBV). So it takes courage to leave, but it also takes courage to stay. The new campaign Life instead of flight from terre des hommes schweiz is dedicated to this courage.
Around the world, countless children and young people are migrating without parents or accompanying adults. This is why the partner organizations of terre des hommes schweiz in the project countries are confronted with the issue of migration in many different ways. They are contact points that support young people on their journey and give them the courage to bring about change, to leave or to stay.
Campaign for more courage – for a life instead of flight
Our new campaign Life instead of flight focuses on the topic of courage. On our campaign page, we draw attention to this courage and show that courage is needed in everyone’s life. To do this, we are looking for stories of courage. Some celebrities, such as Susanne Kunz, Jacqueline Fehr and the rapper Manillio, have already shared their stories of courage and have thus become encouragers.
Read for yourself who has encouraged these people in their lives and become an encourager yourself.
At home, on the road or at their destination: it’s dangerous everywhere for young women
Whether on the American continent, in Africa or in Switzerland, the young migrants in the overflowing reception camps have all experienced an odyssey of violence, poverty and often mortal danger. Migrants are generally already a vulnerable group. The younger they are, the more vulnerable they are.
Apart from the dangers in their home country, they are even more at risk of being sexually exploited and abused en route. For migrant women traveling through Central America towards the USA, the risk of being raped is so high that some women have contraceptive injections to at least avoid becoming pregnant.
Once they arrive at their destination, the first time is the most dangerous for young migrant women, as they are often completely alone. They are looking for connections and orientation and are therefore easy prey for exploitation and abuse. A study has shown that working young female migrants earn less than their male counterparts and have longer working days.
Strengthening, preparing or creating alternatives to migration
The partner organizations of terre des hommes schweiz take a variety of approaches to address the different effects of migration on girls and young women. They are particularly dedicated to developing the practical and social skills of those affected, as self-confident young women are better prepared for the challenges of migration and are better able to protect themselves.
Some partner organizations, such as ACISAM in El Salvador, also provide information and education about the dangers of migration. Young people should know what to expect so that they can either prepare themselves or decide against emigration. Some partners use economic initiatives to create the basis for young people to avoid having to migrate.
