Venezuelan women in the maze of restrictive migration policies

The Venezuelan migration has become a significant issue in the region, especially since 2015, when a large number of people left the country. This exodus included individuals of various ages, educational backgrounds, socio-economic statuses, and genders, all sharing similar routes and reasons for leaving.

According to the Interagency Coordination Platform for Refugees and Migrants from Venezuela (R4V), more than 2.7 million people left Venezuela between 2016 and 2018. This figure has now reached nearly 8 million – equivalent to 23% of the Venezuelan population. Of these, 85% are now living in Latin American and Caribbean countries, 56.8% of whom have legal status.

The policy responses of countries to Venezuelan migrants have mostly been restrictive, securitizing, and even externalizing. This has increased the vulnerability of migrants, generating uncertainty and prompting more irregular migration. As women make up more than half of the migrant population, it is important to highlight their reasons for leaving, the risks they face, and how the policies impact their lives.
 

Risks and vulnerabilities for women

Like many other Venezuelans, women seek better living conditions for themselves and their families, including family reunification, when they emigrate from Venezuela. The vulnerability and irregularity of migration affect both the women themselves and their families, given that women are the heads of households in over 50% of Venezuelan families. However, the ongoing economic, social, and human rights crisis in Venezuela, coupled with the policies of host countries, poses specific risks to this group.

Precariousness, stereotypes, and the regional narrative surrounding their migration process increase their risk of exposure to trafficking networks and gender-based violence of various types including physical, verbal, sexual, psychological, economic, and symbolic discrimination and xenophobia, both on the road and in destination countries.

The objective is to provide a detailed overview of the situation. However, there are a few cases that increase its complexity and need to be addressed. Firstly, the recent announcements regarding the United States' Reassessment and Realignment of International Aid policy have indirectly affected the migrant population. The cancellation of funding for organizations and programs supporting women and children, particularly those providing assistance in cases of violence, is one example of this. Furthermore, these decisions directly impact the risk of losing regular status or protection.

Secondly, another notable case is Colombia, a neighbouring country which, to date, has received the largest number of migrants from Venezuela. There has been a regression in policies, which are now oriented towards delays, restrictions, difficult-to-fulfil requirements, or closed programs that offer no new alternatives for people who continue to arrive in the country. This increases the risk of them falling into administrative irregularities.
 

Negative impacts of migration policies

Examining the situation of women who have emigrated from Venezuela, as well as the impact of host countries’ changing migration policies, it is clear that they face a multitude of challenges. Namely

• Family reunification is difficult due to the lack or elimination of integration and regularisation policies.
• Migrant women face increased informality, unemployment, and violence. This requires exploring alternatives to ensure their livelihoods and their ability to send remittances to Venezuela, considering the transnational aspect of their motherhood, as well as their role as the head of the households.
• Countries recognise the situation in Venezuela; however, their policies are inconsistent, creating barriers to integration.

It is crucial to address these challenges from a comprehensive perspective, involving a range of different stakeholders in order to protect the rights and well-being of Venezuelan women during their time in transit and in their destination countries.
 

Sustainable improvement of the situation

To achieve sustainable improvements in the situation of Venezuelan women migrants and increase their positive impact on global migration and development, recommendations must be formulated that address the aforementioned challenges. To maximise their impact these recommendations must be developed by and directed at different stakeholders.

• Social groups and organisations, especially those targeting women and children, are encouraged to develop advocacy strategies to inform policies that support at the migrant female population and situations that seek to reduce their vulnerability and risk.
• National, local, and regional authorities should recognise, create and implement migration policies to effectively protect the migrant population, particularly women. This requires dialogue, training, adequate assessments, and the development of effective and sustainable long-term strategies.
• Academia and its contribution to research and assessments for developing public policies for the migrant women.
• Media outlets should disseminate messages that reflect reality and avoid narratives that could lead to greater risks, violations, or stereotypes among the migrant women, with the aim of protecting them and prevent further victimisation.

All recommendations must consider the multiple situations and factors faced by this mixed-migrant population from a a gender and intersectional perspective. This feeds into the narrative of strength in movement, which is a way for states at the GFMD to highlight the positive impact of women on global migration and development.