Speech
Informal EU-meeting in Hannover 16 May 2007
Nyamko Sabuni, Minister for Integration and Gender Equality

Supporting migrant women and children - participation in society and the labour market

Madame President, Dear colleagues, Ladies and Gentlemen,

Let me first thank the German Presidency for giving me the opportunity to introduce this topic of vital importance: How to support migrant women and children, so that they can fully participate in society and the labour market.

I would like to start by emphasising the fact that integration is a two or even multi-way process, something more complex than simply adapting a minority to a majority. Integration means living together and honouring our differences rather than trying to eliminate them. Diversity is a valuable and necessary resource for the Union in our globalised world.

The challenge for host countries is to ensure responsible and effective integration of all immigrants and to offer women and men equal opportunities to participate in society and the labour market. Another crucial task for a democratic society is to establish flexible and inclusive forms of dialogue. Forms of dialogue that offer different ways for people of different backgrounds to participate in and influence their society. Therefore, I welcome the fact that next year will be the European year for intercultural dialogue.

Our populations need to engage in dialogue that addresses conflicts of interest and values in society. The starting point should be the universal human rights and democratic principles that have after all been recognised not only by the Union, but also by states representing different geographical regions, different cultures and different religions.

Migrants often face discrimination. Women migrants risk facing multiple discriminations. That is, they may be discriminated against on the basis of their ethnicity or their belief and their sex. They are not only discriminated against by the majority population, but also by members of their own communities.

All forms of discrimination are unacceptable. We will not tolerate xenophobia or discrimination from majority populations; neither will we tolerate the oppression of women and girls within communities.

It is a mistake to think of migrants as a single homogenous group. Some have lived in their host country for many years. Some have just arrived. Some are highly qualified. Some have little or no education. We must never forget that no matter which country a migrant comes from, she or he is an individual with unique circumstances, experiences and dreams.

An unacceptable number of migrants are excluded from our societies. Unemployment, low income and dependence on social welfare, lead to exclusion and isolation. If average labor market participation is low in a migrant group, women´s participation will be even lower.

Employment is an important element of integration. To have a job is not only about having an income. To have a job leads to participation and involvement in the community. Equal access to the labor market and a regular job income, have been and still is the most important cornerstones in gender equality policy. Having an income also means being able to access the social security system and to save up for retirement.

At a conference in Leeds, the UK reported that they now could identify a third generation of unemployed migrants. It is extremely worrying that there are children and young women and men who do not identify themselves with the society they live in. The role of migrant women is crucial if we are to break this trend and fight this inherited social exclusion.

As I mentioned, migrants cannot be looked upon as a single group - they are individuals with unique aspirations. Policymaking must make sure that there are opportunities for migrants to fulfill their aspirations and to contribute to society, no matter what skills and experience they have.

Many migrants come from countries where women have no access to education - where women are expected to take care of the home and children. Access to education and training is an essential element in the successful integration and emancipation of women.

Sweden has a good record in education and training, including literacy training for migrants with no previous education. But perhaps we have neglected the importance of practical training in the labor market.

In order to increase opportunities for migrant women, we need to ensure that both gender and ethnic perspectives are mainstreamed into our labor market programmes.

The structure of migrant families often changes when they arrive in a new country. Both women and men are expected to be gainfully and equally employed. Parents often become dependent on their children for communicating with public authorities. This frustrating loss of power can cause male parents to preserve oppressive traditions that even their home countries may be abandoning. We have to fight this phenomenon. I want to see cooperation with civil society. This could take the form of an intercultural dialogue on our fundamental values.

It is not easy to change gender roles. Some member states have made more progress than others. Despite progress, many women in all our societies are still denied their human rights. Many of them belong to minority groups. I am deeply concerned by the fact that there are girls and young women in Europe who are denied the right to fully participate in the standard curriculum of their schools. Girls who are expected to become mothers and housewives tend to leave school before their peers.

Let me give you some examples of the things we are doing in Sweden in order to improve the opportunities for migrant women and children to be included in society and the labor market:

Language training combined with work training. People, who are not employable, will be offered a meaningful activity guarantee to avoid passivity. Children must see their parents being active.

We are trying to remove obstacles to entry in the labor market for the unemployed, for example by providing subsidies for employers.

We want the public sector to lead the way in combating discrimination. The Swedish government is currently testing a method of anonymous job applications in the public sector.

Now I want to hear about your ideas. Let us focus on best practices, successful models and well-documented experiences. I look forward to hearing what you have to say.

Thank you!

(Check against delivery)