Refugee Women From the Margins to the Centre—2017–2020

Abstract

We explain the significance of the New York Declaration for Refugees and Migrants (NYD), and the Global Compact on Refugees (GCR). We lobbied for a ‘Gender Audit’ of the proceedings when the strong text of the NYD was weakened in the first documents informing the GCR. This was undertaken with a team of amazing refugee women. All preparatory meetings were audited and language recognising the importance of the participation of refugee women in all aspects of decision-making, and linking this to the prevention of rape, sexual and gender-based violence, was acknowledged. We received funding to monitor the implementation of the gender commitments in the GCR in Thailand, Malaysia and Bangladesh. White privilege, class and gender privilege were identified as major barriers to this occurring. The catastrophe of the COVID-19 pandemic changed everything, as many humanitarian actors evacuated the field, and refugees were often the first responders and service providers. The value of their work was recognised, and commitments made to ensure that this was acknowledged and funded in the future. The last word is from refugee women themselves, and we end with a short epilogue, celebrating achievements and the final recognition of the contributions of refugee women and girls.