USA receives 20 per cent of the international migrants, followed by Russian Federation, which is approximately 7- 8 per cent.

According to a report, if all the international migrants have to live together, they can make world’s fifth most populated country. The most astonishing fact is that out of the total number of 95 million, almost half are women.
IN TODAY’S world the economical and developmental patterns are changing and we find many people working in the countries to which they don’t belong. Most of the workers migrate from one country to another in search of economic opportunities. But this practice can have enormous implications on the growth and welfare of both the countries - to which they are moving and to which they belong. This is not a new phenomenon. Migration has been a part of human history and has grown hand in hand with development. If one looks at the figure of international migrants in the United States of America, probably it has the highest number of international migrants. USA receives 20 per cent of the international migrants, followed by Russian Federation, which is approximately 7- 8 per cent. India stands eighth in that tally and has less than 5 per cent of international migrants. United Nations Population Fund 2006 report on the state of world population had also raised the migration issue. Along with migration it also brought out the issue of ‘Women and International migration’. The report was titled ‘A passage to hope – Women and International migration’.The report stated that if all the international migrants have to live together, they can make world’s fifth most populated country. And out of those total 95 million international migrants, almost half are women and young girls. As per an estimate in year 2000 about two million Asian women were working in neighbouring countries. These are not just the numbers; in fact the report is candid and describes the experiences of migrant women. Mainly women migrate either in search of livelihood or to rejoin their migrant husbands and family.So one can find various groups like young and old, married, single, divorced and married etc. Many women move with their children and many times they have to leave them behind. Many of them belong to low-income backgrounds and migrate to have a better life for themselves and for their children. The report throws light on the relevant aspects of women and international migration. Though migration opens door to a new world for them but report states that women are among the most vulnerable to human rights abuse. There is great need for their voices to be heard and efforts to be recognised. Report also looks at the impact of migration of men on the women, changing roles etc. The report points out the economic impact on Kerala’s women when their husbands are away working in Gulf countries. The remittance sent by their husbands helps women in Kerala in raising their status. 70 per cent of women have their own bank accounts and 40 per cent have their own income while half of them have own land or own homes. But the report does not dwell with the other issues, for example the difficulties being faced by women.Report talks about the international law in which all migrant workers are given the same human rights; probably reiterating the fact that migrants first and foremost are human beings whatever their status may be. It raises concern over the issues of women trafficking, exploitation, healthcare, reproductive rights, risk of HIV and AIDS, violence against women and girls and issue of cultural diversity. A chapter of the report, ‘By Force, Not by Choice’, brings the issue of refuge women and asylum seekers and the dangers and obstacles being faced by them to focus. Report talks about integration and tolerance as a two way process of adaptation by immigrants and their new societies as being beneficial for all those involved. It is an effort to bring the issue from a call to action.