For the last almost 20 years, we’ve had the privilege of working with thousands of migrant worker women who migrate to the United States, leaving family and friends behind in search of a better future. This International Women’s Day, we celebrate them – for their strength, their courage and their leadership.
- We celebrate the courage of Rosalinda, who is currently fighting for justice for herself and all migrant worker women who have faced employer retaliation for advocating for themselves during a pregnancy.
- We honor Maritza and Adarely, two migrant worker women who spoke out against discrimination in guestworker programs and continue seeking justice, in representation of thousands of women who still face discrimination during recruitment and in their places of work.
- We praise Tatiana and Sandra, two au pairs who have fought for the past five years against the families who exploited them and the recruitment agency who turned a blind eye to the abusive working conditions they were forced to endure.
We want to support more women who are eager to learn about their rights and how to defend them, just like these women did. That’s why I’m so proud of all the work we’ve done to ensure migrant worker women build their power and access justice.
In the past year our team has traveled to Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina and Georgia to meet with migrant worker women to educate them about their workplace rights, with special focus on discrimination and gender–based violence and harassment. In all, We’ve conducted 11 in-person “know your rights” workshops and reached 350 women.
We’ve also held 7 virtual “train the trainer” workshops where we’ve equipped 18 migrant worker women with relevant information and tools to help them effectively share their knowledge with co-workers and other women. This work is all about women supporting women and fostering cooperation and solidarity among migrant worker women who face similar challenges.
Combatting discrimination and gender-based violence and harassment has been at the heart of CDM’s mission since 2005. This International Women’s Day we renew our commitment to support migrant worker women’s fight for fairness and justice.
Will you commit to stand alongside migrant worker women this International Women’s Day?