Gender Focal Points |
A network of Gender Focal Points was set up throughout the IOM Missions and HQs who currently number over 81 persons (16 in HQs and 65 in the Missions). These staff members volunteered to devote between 5 and 10% of their time to further the understanding of gender issues in IOM. This goes beyond being a simple post-box for information dissemination. The Terms of Reference inter alia involve:
· |
Contributing to the
formulation of gender-sensitive programming (for example, identifying
relevant gender information, liaising with the field Missions on gender
issues, promoting migrant gender issues in public administration
programmes of countries). | |
· |
Advocating for the
inclusion of migrant gender issues in project/programme formulation (such
as identifying and updating gender issues relevant to programmes,
participating in project design, ensuring that all background information
is disaggregated by age, sex and ethnic origin, raiding gender issues in
project meetings). | |
· |
Supporting the
inclusion of gender issues in all migration project/programme
implementation activities (for example, promoting gender balance among
staff, training and meetings, including gender knowledge and experience as
a requirement in Terms of Reference, ensuring that final project reports
specifically identify gender gaps). | |
· |
Supporting migrant
gender-sensitive project or programme evaluation (such as providing
Missions with documentation on relevant gender issues, understanding and
applying indicators of success). | |
· |
Contributing gender migration
information and analysis to general policy (for example: preparing
documentation reflecting IOM's policy on gender issues, ensuring that both
migrant women and men have information on IOM services, programmes and
projects). | |
· |
Contributing gender information
at HQs, Regional Offices and Field Offices in resource mobilization
activities (such as sharing information on gender policies with donors and
governments). | |
· |
Introducing relevant gender
dimensions in meetings at HQs, Regional and Field Offices (for example,
ensuring gender balance in all committees or supporting colleagues when
gender issues are raised). | |
· |
Preparing and conducting gender
training and briefing sessions for HQs, Regional and Field office
staff. | |
· |
Increasing gender balance and supporting the advancement of women
within IOM (for example, promoting positive awareness among women in the
recruitment of candidates, identify training and skills development
activities to support women in career development).
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IOM's counter-trafficking activities are geared toward the prevention of trafficking in persons, particularly women and children, and the protection of migrant's rights. They include: · Carrying out information campaigns. · Providing counselling services. · Conducting research on migrant trafficking. · Providing safe and dignified return and reintegration assistance to victims of trafficking. · Helping governments to improve their legal systems and technical capacities to counter trafficking. |