Costa Rica - The Joint Program “Costa Rica against trafficking in persons and smuggling of migrants” implemented by the United Nations System in Costa Rica (the International Organization for Migration (IOM), UN Women and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC)) held on December 4 a symposium entitled “Financial inclusion of migrants with a gender approach to reduce risks associated with the crimes of trafficking in persons and smuggling of migrants”.  

 The event brought together representatives from government, international organizations and the private sector (including banking and financial institutions). The event included keynote presentations on the significant barriers faced by migrants in accessing financial services and remittances, especially migrant women.   

Pamela Jimenez of the Resident Coordinator's Office emphasized that: “barriers to accessing these services cannot be ignored, where high fees, lack of documentation or gaps in legal regulations increase the vulnerability of migrants, especially women, who face additional challenges in acquiring financial independence”. 

In turn, according to Isis Orozco: “(....) Remittances play a fundamental role in reducing inequalities by empowering migrants and their families, especially in situations of vulnerability. It is in this scenario where secure access to financial services, especially remittances, becomes essential. When we talk about safe financial services, we talk about financial inclusion, social protection and development.”  

As closing words Juan Carlos Morales from the General Directorate of Migration and Foreigners (DGME) mentioned “that from now on it is necessary to continue working on prevention, as well as on the challenges where from the regulatory part we can work together with each of the key actors.” 

The Symposium made it possible to reaffirm and demonstrate the commitment of the different actors to the needs of migrants for their incorporation into the local financial system and their access to financial services in safe conditions and in accordance with gender and human rights approaches.   

This initiative was developed with funding from the Multilateral Migration Trust Fund (MMPTF), and implemented by UN Agencies and the National Coalition Against Smuggling of Migrants and Trafficking in Persons (CONATT), contributing to Goals 7, 10, 9, 15, 20 and 23 of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration (GCM) and Goals 5, 10, 16 and 17 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).   

For further information, please contact Allen Ulloa, National Communications Officer, at aulloa@iom.int.