Supporting Women Migrants Post COVID-19
The speakers and attendees during the Navigating Health and Work Challenges: Impact of COVID-19 on Women Migrants and Effective Coping Strategies consultation.
The consultation on ‘Navigating Health and Work Challenges: Impact of COVID-19 on Women Migrants and Effective Coping Strategies’, part of the Women RISE WISH Project: Women Migrants’ Health and Work after COVID-19 focused on women migrants’ health and work during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Funded by the International Development Research Centre (IDRC), the project highlighted key findings on the challenges faced by women migrants and how they adapted during and after the pandemic. The collaborative research, conducted in partnership with institutions from Malaysia, Thailand, and Canada aims to inform effective, gender-responsive policy changes.
Professor Shajahan Yasin, Head of the School of Medicine and Health Sciences, opened the event by emphasising the critical need for regional cooperation to support migrant communities effectively.
Dr Sharuna Verghis, Principal Investigator, outlined the key findings: “COVID-19 was not just a health crisis, it was a gendered crisis. Women bore greater caregiving responsibilities, higher job losses, and increased gender-based violence. The findings we share today are not just about understanding the past, they are about informing future policies and responses that better protect vulnerable women,”. She advocated for multi-sectoral collaboration to enhance institutional support, particularly in crises.
UNFPA’s Tengku Aira presented her discussions during the consultation.
Tengku Aira, Assistant Representative from UNFPA Malaysia, discussed the social and economic challenges that women migrants faced, including wage disparities, job insecurity, and inadequate social protection.
Dwi Sulistiyani from Serantau Malaysia, representing the Indonesian migrant community, shared powerful accounts of financial hardship, discrimination, and isolation, highlighting the resilience shown by migrant women despite the lack of formal support structures.
The research team presenting their results and findings from the study that was conducted.
Dr Yap Kwong Hsia, Dr Chan Yann Yoong, and Cylee Chan presented comprehensive findings from the study. Quantitative results showed significant mental health impacts, particularly depression and anxiety among women migrants from Bangladesh and Myanmar. Qualitative insights showed the emotional and financial strain experienced by women migrants, including isolation from families, job losses, wage reductions, as well as their coping mechanisms for these challenges.
Dr Koh Sin Yee then outlined key policy recommendations to strengthen institutional support, calling for bilateral labour agreements with clear minimum wage standards, improved oversight of recruitment agencies, and expanded social protection, including universal healthcare access and emergency medical funds for migrant workers.
The panel discussions provided deeper insights into the challenges and potential solutions from policy, institutional, and community perspectives. The first panel, moderated by Dr Sharuna Verghis, featured Professor Dato’ Noor Aziah Mohd Awal, Commissioner, Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM), Anis Farid from the Women’s Aid Organisation (WAO), and Florida Sandanasamy from the International Labour Organization (ILO). “Domestic workers are still excluded from Malaysia’s Employment Act, this needs to change. Formal recognition and protection under the law are critical for ensuring their rights are safeguarded,” said Professor Dato’ Noor Aziah. Anis Farid discussed the extensive mental health challenges faced by domestic workers, including burnout and exploitation, while Florida Sandanasamy emphasised the need for comprehensive protection policies and mandatory post-arrival orientation programs for migrants, citing effective models from Thailand and Singapore.
Panel one included Professor Dato’ Noor Aziah Mohd Awal from the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM), Ms Anis Farid from the Women’s Aid Organisation (WAO), and Ms Florida Sandanasamy from the International Labour Organization (ILO).
The second panel featured representatives from migrant-sending countries and community leaders, offering critical perspectives on the lived realities of migrant women. His Excellency Md Shameem Ahsan, High Commissioner of the High Commission of Bangladesh, addressed the systemic challenges faced by Bangladeshi migrant workers, including wage disparities and limited healthcare access. Mudita Bajracharya, Deputy Chief of Mission from the Embassy of Nepal, highlighted the importance of strengthening diplomatic support and improving communication between employers and migrant communities. Wishnu Krisnamurti, Minister-Counsellor and Head of Department of Social, Culture, and Information at the Embassy of Indonesia, discussed the vital role of embassy-led aid during the pandemic and called for improved legal protection for Indonesian workers. Minister and Consul General Roussel R Reyes from the Embassy of the Republic of the Philippines stressed the importance of bilateral agreements to enhance migrant workers’ rights and ensure access to healthcare and social protection.
Panel two included His Excellency Mr Md Shameem Ahsan, High Commissioner of the High Commission of Bangladesh, Ms Mudita Bajracharya, Deputy Chief of Mission from the Embassy of Nepal, Mr Wishnu Krisnamurti, Minister-Counsellor and Head of Department of Social, Culture, and Information at the Embassy of Indonesia, and Minister and Consul General Roussel R Reyes from the Embassy of the Republic of the Philippines.
The event concluded with Dr Sharuna Verghis reiterating that the research not only sheds light on the challenges migrant women face but also provides a roadmap for improving work and health conditions through evidence-based, gender-sensitive policies.