Progressive Democrat Issue 72: IMMIGRANT RIGHTS: the women’s rights angle

Immigrant Rights vs. Border Security: it’s the new wedge issue. I have been hearing a great deal from both sides. Living in NYC I am surrounded by immigrants, and it gives us a rich, multinational, multi-cuisine, multi-lingual, etc. environment here. But the issue involves many angles: jobs, border security, human rights, ample labor for agriculture and construction, etc. I think this is an issue that will never go away and has been an issue for almost all empires throughout history. I think America won’t like the results if we ever do manage to keep out all immigrants. But here is an angle that few people have covered: the fact that when we talk of migrant workers, the majority of the people we are talking about are women whose main interest is supporting their families.

This comes from the Global Fund for Women:

Warm greetings from the Global Fund for Women! A debate has been raging about how the United States should respond to the large number of undocumented workers who come here in search of a more secure economic future. Absent from this discussion is the fact that women make up the vast majority (at least 70%) of migrant workers around the world.

It is women who bear the brunt of rising poverty and unemployment, and declining welfare services in their own countries. It is also women who are responsible for the wellbeing of their families. Each year, the increasing pressure of globalization forces thousands of women to make the extremely difficult choice to leave their children, communities and homelands behind as they seek wages that can sustain their families. We cannot hope to develop effective immigration policies if we fail to acknowledge that in most developing countries, women are unable to provide even the basic necessities of food, shelter, and education for their children.

The Global Fund for Women believes that migrant workers everywhere deserve the right to live free from fear and intimidation in their quest for economic justice, safety and dignity. We urge the international community to ensure the protection of migrant rights as we develop more equitable policies that can provide women and their families with greater security at home and in their host nations.

In solidarity,

Kavita N. Ramdas
President & CEO

The Global Fund for Women is one of the best groups out there working for women’s rights and women’s economic independence around the world. Here is a suggestion from Global Fund for Women that might interest some:

Fact: Every year of a mother's education corresponds to 5 to 10% lower mortality rates in children under the age of five. (UNFPA)

Take action! Honor the women in your life by hosting a house party or making a donation in celebration of Mother's Day (May 14). Build awareness about women's rights, raise money and make a difference for mothers and their children around the world.

With your support, the Global Fund is able to fund the initiatives of women's groups working to improve the lives of mothers, their families and their communities.

Donate in honor of your mother.

Host a Mother’s Day Party for Global Fund for Women.