Saudi Arabia has long been an important destination for migrant workers – especially from across Asia, the Middle East and the Horn of Africa – and today, they represent 37% of the population. 31% of them are women. In a submission to the UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), the GDP, together with Migrant-Rights.org, has highlighted the specific discriminatory practices based on gender that lead to the abuse and detention (and frequent abuse in detention) of migrant women based on their immigration status in Saudi Arabia. Particular concerns were raised regarding the conditions women face in detention centres, the detention and deportation of trafficking victims and the failure to enforce legislation preventing employers from retaining workers’ passports. Read the full submission here >>
