Accessibility to Sexual and Reproductive Health Services for Female Migrant Returnees who are Survivors of Sexual Violence: The Case of Female Migrant ReturneesAssisted by Civil Society Organizations.
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Date
2023-07-20
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Migrants travel to other countries to get employment opportunities and make their lives along with their families better. When they migrate, they might be faced with unforeseen challenges on their journey, when they reach their country of transit or country of destination. One of these challenges is facing sexual violence along their way. Survivors of sexual violence need sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services among others after the incidents of sexual violence. The research aimed to examine access to SRH services for female migrant returnees (FMR) who are survivors of sexual violence. More specifically it aimed to assess the opportunities, challenges, and coping mechanisms female migrant returnees, survivors of sexual violence, have in accessing SRH services before and after their return. This study used a qualitative case study research design. For the study, FMRs were reached out through civil society organizations (CSOs). These CSOs have shelters that work on the rehabilitation and reintegration of migrant returnees. Eight FMRs participated in the in-depth interview and two shelter coordinators were interviewed as key informants. Thematic analysis was used for the data analysis process. The results showed that there is a gap in easy access to information and SRH services, some FMRs who became pregnant, after the incident of sexual violence that happened to them, could not access any SRH services. While some were only able to access SRH services through their employers, friends, or other organizations. In contrast, all the interviewed FMRs that needed SRH after their return were able to get access to SRH services either through CSOs they were assisted by, privately, or through other organizations. The major challenge interviewed FMRs faced was getting the information on how to access such service providers, as a coping mechanism, some approached their friends and employers. But others could not find ways to overcome their challenges and returned without any access to SRH services. To gain the information migrants have regarding SRH services, different local CSOs and other international non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that work closely with migrants and migrant returnees can create a platform, where before individuals migrate, they can get important information from them or other returnees. Government bodies such as the Ministry of Labor and Skills of Ethiopia, can help ensure the safe and legal travel of migrants to their country of destination.
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Keywords
Female Migrant Returnees, Sexual Violence, Sexual and Reproductive Health, Civil Society Organization