Research Paper on "Protection

of Women Refugee
Everyone has the right to seek and to enjoy in
other countries asylum from persecution.
Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Article 14(1)

Topics to be covered
1. Introduction.
(a) Changes since 1990s.
(b) The Continuing Challenges.

2.
3.
4.
5.

Rules for Protection of women in the Conventions.

Problems faced by women Refugees during different scenarios.
Risk and Challenges faced by Women Refugee.
Different Case study on Countries :
(c) Australia.
(d) (b) Brazil.
(e) (c) India.
6. Conclusion.

Introduction
1985 : Devote attention on resource to help women

refugee.
1991 : UNHCR Guidelines on Protection of Refugee Women
.
The purpose of this topic is to provide a brief overview of the:
Changing dynamics of forced displacement ;
Challenges displaced and returnee women and girls face
today;
UN-wide and UNHCR steps to address them through
activities to promote gender equality; and
Challenges to implementation that have arisen.

(a) Changes since the early 1990s

()The dynamics of forced displacement have changed

radically.
()New standards, mechanisms, and approaches have
been developed at the international level to promote
gender equality and eliminate violence against women
and girls.
()UNHCR has also taken steps at both the policy and
operational levels to enhance the protection of women
and girls.
(b) The Continuing Challenge
()These human rights violations are not only a result of
forced displacement, they are directly related to the
discrimination and violence women and girls endure in
peace time .

Rules for Protection of

women in the
Convention

Everyone is entitled to enjoy the

Rules for Protection of women in the Conventions.

human rights and fundamental

freedoms set out in international law
on an equal basis without distinction
or
discrimination,
including
as
regards their gender and age.

UNHCRs Five Commitments to Refugee Women

relate
Womens and girls membership and
participation in decision-making
Registration and documentation
Tackling SGBV, including domestic violence
Participation in food distribution
Providing sanitary materials to women and
girls of concern.

Problems Faced by
Women Refugee

Problems to Women Refugee.

Meeting the Definition of a
Refugee.
Documenting Refugee Status
Physical Protection
Discrimination in Distribution of
work
Poor Access to Camp Services.

Risks and challenges to Women

Refugee

Risk & challenges to women

Refugee
Violence during Journey.
Violence or abuse in detention/first reception centres.
Disempowerment due to procedural barriers and lack

of adequate and reliable information.

Limited access to assistance.
Inability to present their claim due to cultural or
psychological barriers resulting in credibility
questioned.
Exposure to domestic violence which remains
undetected.
Exposure to trafficking

Case Study on Different Countries

Australia
Today,

Australia is a world leader in assisting

refugees through its humanitarian and settlement
programs. it has helped more than 8,00,000 refugees
to build new lives in Australia.
In 1989, Australia established the Woman at Risk
visa, in recognition of the priority given by the United
Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to
the protection of refugee women in particularly
vulnerable situations.
It was introduced, this visa has assisted more than
13,000 women and their families to build new lives
for themselves in Australia.


5 Categories of Risk Visa :
Refugee.
In-Country Special Humanitarian Program.
Global Special Humanitarian Program.
Emergency Rescue.
Woman at Risk

Cont..

Brazil
In 1998, when CONARE was newly formed, Brazil had

1,991 recognised refugees within its borders. That

number increased to 2,884 in 2002.
CONARE prioritises the protection of two distinct
vulnerable groups: refugees without legal and
physical protection, and women at risk.
The
special attention to vulnerable women,
particularly women heads of household and/or victims
of violence, has rendered extremely positive results in
terms of local integration. It is estimated that 20% of
resettled refugees in the country are women heads of
household.

India
The legal status of refugees in India is

governed mainly by the Foreigners Act 1946

and the Citizenship Act 1955. These Acts do
not distinguish refugees fleeing persecution
from other foreigners.

Covenant on Civil and Political

Rights (ICCPR)
It states that each person shall be free to leave

any country, including her own. This is of course

subject to any restrictions that are provided by law.
Article 12(4) states that no one shall be
arbitrarily deprived of the right to enter her own
country.
Article 13 is of greater importance, which states
that aliens (including refugees) who are lawfully
residing in the territory of a state parry may be
expelled only in pursuance of a decision reached in
accordance with law

International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural

Rights (ICESCR)

This covenant provides for the right to work,

just conditions for employment, medical care

and basic education, amongst other related
rights.
Article 2(3) states that developing countries,
with due regard to human rights and their
national economy, may determine to what
extent they can guarantee the economic
rights of non-nationals.

International Convention on the Elimination of

All
Forms
of
Racial
Discrimination
It defines racial discrimination as follows:
Any
distinction,
exclusion,
restriction

or
preference based on race, colour, descent, or
national or ethnic origin which has the purpose or
effect of nullifying or impairing the recognition,
enjoyment or exercise, on an equal footing, of
human rights and fundamental freedoms in the
political, economic, social, cultural or any other
field of public life.

Conclusion

Community involvement .
Own Protection.
Presence of more female staff
We are not doing enough, well enough.
Large numbers of displaced women and girls

continue to be abused, raped and exploited.

We must do more and we must do it better