Popular images primarily depict migrants as men, when in fact women comprise almost half of the estimated 140 to 150 million annual international migrants. Whether voluntarily or involuntarily, women have become a growing "export" from many developing countries around the world. Our speakers will examine the concerns, motivations, and challenges that are unique to the experience of this often-overlooked, particularly vulnerable, and uniquely valuable group of migrants.

Speaker: Dr. Irena Omelaniuk, International Organization for Migration (IOM)
Dr. Omelaniuk is Director of the Migration Management division of the International Organization for Migration.

Discussant: Sarah Gammage, Economist and Consultant
Ms. Gammage has done extensive research on the effects that macroeconomic policy and globalization have had on Latin American women and migration flows to North America.

Chair: Deborah W. Meyers, Migration Policy Institute

When: Thursday, March 7, 2002, 8:30 - 10:00 am
Where: Resources for the Future Conference Room 1400 16th Street, NW (between O and P Streets)
RSVP: To attend please call Ana Claros at (202) 266-1940.