We are pleased to share with you information on the progress of the IOM project "Protection of vulnerable migrants with a special focus on the empowerment of women in the context of migration in Central Asia", funded by the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the Turkestan region and in the city of Shymkent.

Forthe successful implementation of the project, the goal was set to contribute to the protection of migrants and increase the resilience of vulnerable migrants, especially women, in Central Asia in the context of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The staff started a series of trainings for representatives of the Department of Health and Education.

The first trainings started from November 14 to 15, 2023 in Shymkent, as well as from November 16 to 17, 2023 in Turkestan. It is expected that participants will receive information on the gender aspects of migration in Kazakhstan, violation of rights against migrant women as a form of discrimination based on gender. They will study national and international legislation in the field of migration. They will learn about the risk factors of migration vulnerability, about existing myths and stereotypes about migrant women. Thus, the trainings are aimed at forming a positive image of migrant women as a social group.