## 🛡️ IPS Study: SGBV Risks for Migrant Domestic Workers

The Institute of Policy Studies (IPS) has released a critical study on sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) faced by Sri Lankan female migrant domestic workers in the Middle East, calling for urgent systemic reforms. • Key Findings: Research identifies a "continuum of violence" including harassment, deception, wage theft, forced labor, and violations of basic human needs. • Systemic Drivers: Vulnerabilities are heightened by the Kafala sponsorship system, informal work arrangements, and extreme economic pressure driving migration. • Data Source: Findings are based on official complaint data from the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) and key informant interviews, reflecting post-pandemic realities. • Proposed 4-Pillar Action Plan: • Pre-emptive risk identification and awareness programs. • Efficient and accelerated reporting mechanisms for victims. • Support structures to facilitate positive coping mechanisms. • Binding penalty measures to deter future SGBV incidents. The study serves as an urgent call to action for recruitment agents and the government to strengthen protection frameworks for this vital segment of the workforce. 📈 --- Would you like me to find more details on the specific SLBFE complaint statistics mentioned in the full IPS report?