Legal Empowerment for Migrant Households Headed by Women

Today, nearly 300,000 Tajik women are considered abandoned by labour migrants. 91% of them have not received remittances in the last year, over half do not have consistent contact with the spouse, and the majority does not know his whereabouts. Nearly all are ignorant about their legal rights and unable to obtain information on assistance. This project was designed to increase legal rights awareness of women heads of household, especially those who have been abandoned by migrant husbands. The effect was achieved through information campaigns, legal consultations and seminars, and local capacity building. To ensure both high impact and early success, IOM piloted the project in one selected area of Khatlon district together with the existing IOM-partnered Migrant Support Center. This project remains critical for the well-being of women that have been abandoned by their migrant spouses, especially since they are increasingly becoming the backbone of both their families and communities.

This pilot project was implemented by IOM over a six-month period in early 2011 in close cooperation with local governmental authorities, village councils (including community and religious leaders) and the MSC providing legal services. The project included a 1) a rapid assessment; 2) training and capacity building for community leaders, village councils, local government authorities and IRCLM; 3) an information campaign to increase awareness of beneficiaries and service providers; and 4) consultations and legal aid.

Providing Legal Assistance to Abandoned Families of Labour Migrants | Success Stories - July 2011
	This booklet provides an illustration of the many legal challenges facing the families left behind by Tajik labour migrants. Included in the publication are the stories of seven abandoned families, and how IOM was able to assist them during the course of the project.   Read in RUS  TJK