The Migrant Women Association Malta (MWAM) launched an emergency call to gather knowledge about the main needs of migrant women (as well as other migrants) in Malta during the COVID-19 pandemic, in order to better inform action taken to assist the migrant community and residents of the Maltese open centers. This call led to the COVID-19 Emergency Response Project, which has run several support campaigns over the last year.
Through the project, MWAM is particularly focusing on supporting women at high risk of sexual and gender-based violence and exploitation during the lockdown(s). The organisation set up a fundraising campaign and recruited an emergency team to ensure that refugees, asylum seekers, migrant women and their families are supported throughout the winter and the ongoing lockdown.
The project commenced in summer 2020, with the first campaign - in the months leading up to July 2020 - raising 3743 28 EUR. This money was used to support 36 women (a quarter of whom face sexual and gender-based violence.). Support was offered in the form of communication and translation services; emotional support to sexual and gender-based violence (GBV) cases; referral of cases to the relevant institutions and legal entities; and provisions to meet basic needs (food, rent utilities, etc.). This summer-autumn campaign was followed by a winter campaign, which is currently ongoing.
Project Goal
- The main challenge in this project is related to the language barrier that could prevent MWAM’s members from gathering the information required in assessing the migrants' needs.
- The project aims to help asylum seekers, refugees, and migrant women to find employment to cover the cost of basic needs for themselves and their families. One of the additional goals of the winter project is to secure and purchase basic winter items for beneficiaries (e.g. food, blankets, and warm clothes).
- A futher challenge is related to women at high risk of sexual and gender-based violence: it is often difficult to tackle the problem since women do not always speak openly about or report being victims of SGBV.
- Women are increasingly migrating to Malta with their children and without their spouse, and therefore are more vulnerable to sexual exploitation as they seek employment to provide for their family. With this in mind, the aim is to use funds from the winter campaign to financially support survivors and women at high risk of SGBV who are struggling to pay rent and provide basic items for themselves and their family.
How it works
MWAM’s emergency response team manages and directs the activities of the various departments that are involved in this call and activities, using a case-based approach and through constant communication and needs-based monitoring of individual cases.
The organisation is working to train support staff and provide sessions related to psychological health and SGBV for 35 asylum seekers, 20 of whom have either lost their job or cannot find employment due to COVID-19.
Results
MWAM is currently supporting over 180 asylum seekers, refugees, and migrant women in open centres and communities. It was able to support more than 60 women during the earlier summer-autumn campaign, 20 of these were survivors or at risk of SGBV, and 30 are still in search of jobs.
Evaluation
- The evaluation for the winter campaign is not yet available as it is still ongoing;
- MWAM will continue to update its donors on how funds are being used to help migrant women, either directly through its website or via email;
- The organisation regularly updates its Facebook page with news, in order to better inform the public of the impact of their donations and the continued need for support.
Who benefits
Migrants and asylum seekers, particularly migrant women in need of SGBV or employment-focused support.
Funding and resources
The U.S. Embassy in Malta collaborated with with the Migrant Women Association Malta on both the summer/autumn and the winter campaign. Other funding comes from public donations via separate fundraising campaigns.
About this good practice
- Project dates
- Geographic area
- Malta
- Organisation
- Migrant Women Association Malta
- Contact person
- Umayma Elamin
- Position
- President
Details
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