Five years ago, Amina Nalwoga, a single mother of three, embarked on a journey to Saudi Arabia, clutching nothing but the promise of stable work as a housemaid. Her hope was to escape poverty and secure an education for her children. Yet, like countless others, her dream swiftly dissolved into a grim reality.
"They took my passport. I worked 18 hours a day. When I begged for rest, they locked me in a room," Amina recounted, her voice still laced with the trauma of her experience. After two grueling years, she returned to Uganda, physically and emotionally exhausted, with little to show for her immense sacrifice.
Amina's story is tragically common. Millions of African women migrate to the Middle East for domestic work, only to return home broken, deeply indebted, or, in the most devastating cases, in coffins. However, a significant new initiative, led by the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) and the African Union Commission (AUC), aims to fundamentally change this narrative, transforming survivors into empowered entrepreneurs, advocates, and community leaders.
Rewriting the Returnee Narrative
"The story should not end with their return," asserted Matashane-Marite, Chief of Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment at the ECA. "We must ensure these women are survivors and thrive economically." This joint project, aptly named "International Migration in Africa: Shaping a Positive Narrative and Removing Barriers to Mobility," is specifically designed to empower returnee migrant women in Uganda, Kenya, and Ethiopia, focusing on those who endured exploitative conditions in domestic roles abroad.
The Urgent Call for Action
Globally, over 1 billion people are on the move, with 281 million categorized as international migrants. Within this vast movement, women are disproportionately vulnerable to exploitation in low-paying, informal jobs. Upon their return, many face significant hurdles reintegrating into their local economies and establishing sustainable livelihoods.
"We need urgent action, but also data-driven policies," Matashane-Marite emphasized. The ECA has conducted extensive assessments on returnee migrants from Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, highlighting a critical and pressing need for dignified reintegration programs that extend far beyond basic welfare provisions.
Economic Impact Meets Reintegration Challenges
Lawrence Egulu, Uganda’s Employment Services Commissioner, underscored the vital, yet often overlooked, financial contributions of migrant workers. He noted that women domestic workers alone contribute a staggering 1.5 billion Ugandan Shillings in remittances and an impressive 30 billion Ugandan Shillings annually in non-tax revenues. Despite these substantial financial inflows, many returnees are left without clear pathways to economic stability.
"They need to repackage their skills to work within Africa," Egulu urged, calling on international bodies like the ECA and AUC to reform labor migration policies to better protect and empower these invaluable contributors to national economies.
A Rights-Based Approach to Reintegration
Kondwani Kamanga, Social Policy Officer at the AUC, strongly advocated for safe migration practices and truly sustainable reintegration programs. "We must prioritize human rights and economic self-sufficiency," Kamanga stated firmly. "Supporting returnees is not just about welfare – it is about Africa’s development."
A Collaborative Push for Lasting Change
In a significant stride towards systemic change, from May 19-21, Uganda’s Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development, in collaboration with the ECA and AUC, convened a crucial working group in Kampala. This gathering served as a platform to strategize the development of economic empowerment programs for women returnees, advance critical policy reforms for safer migration and reintegration, and foster stronger collaboration among governments, non-governmental organizations, and UN agencies.
"This is just the beginning," Matashane-Marite stated optimistically. "When we invest in these women, we invest in stronger communities across Africa."
Amina's Second Chance: A Story of Resilience
Today, with crucial support from various stakeholders, Amina Nalwoga is a proud participant in a pioneering pilot cohort in Kampala. Through vocational training, she learned tailoring, and with a micro-grant, she courageously opened her own small shop.
"Now, I employ two other returnees," she declared proudly, her voice no longer trembling but resonating with newfound confidence and determination. "We’re not victims anymore. We’re businesswomen."
Amina's powerful journey from despair to entrepreneurship stands as a testament to the initiative's profound potential. As she skillfully stitches a dress in her bustling shop, she offers a clear and direct message to leaders across the continent: "Don’t just pity us. Invest in us."