Unveiling Shadows: Gendered Violence, Abuse, and Exploitation in the Context of Border Control and Migration Policies.

This paper examines the nexus of gendered violence, migration policies, and border control, revealing the amplified risks faced by migrants, especially women and girls. It critically assesses how these policies and practices, directly or indirectly, perpetuate harm against marginalised groups. By employing an intersectional analysis, the study highlights how the confluence of gender, race, ethnicity, class, (dis)ability, sexuality, and citizenship status increases vulnerability to violence in migration and border control settings. Incorporating real-life case studies and the author's experiences, the paper elucidates the hostile climates created by stringent immigration policies, societal xenophobia, and legal obstacles, which intensify migrants' trauma and abuse. It advocates for a multi-faceted approach that includes international legal cooperation, gender-responsive training for border and migration officials, and improved survivor support services. The research also explores resistance strategies against gendered violence and the hurdles in addressing such violence, proposing a comprehensive strategy encompassing policy reform, community involvement, and international partnerships to safeguard and empower migrant women and girls. Entitled "Unveiling Shadows," this work calls for a shift towards humane, inclusive, and gender-sensitive migration policies that respect human rights and dignity, promoting a societal progression towards inclusivity and empathy. This abstract proposes a crucial dialogue for the conference on Gendered Violence, Abuse and Exploitation in the Shadow of Bordering Regimes and Border Control, offering insights into mitigating violence through systemic change.