The route from Libya to Europe across the Mediterranean is said to be the world’s most deadly migrant crossing today. Last year over 2000 migrants lost their lives on this route through the Mediterranean Sea.
According to a study by the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), since 2014, over 22,500 migrants have been reported as missing or dead worldwide, and a over half of them perishing while attempting to cross the Mediterranean.
These migrants are hoping to exchange the hardships that they face in their home country for a better life for themselves and their families. This shows how the sea can be seen as a medium of hope for these refugees who can find hope by crossing sea in these boats. However the sea can also drown these hopes and be seen as an obstacle, as the journey across the sea is an extremely dangerous and deadly route.
This short film by the BBC shows how these vulnerable refugees can be rescued:
Last year a boat carrying hundreds of migrants went missing from the coast of Libya. According to the UN migration agency, this was one of the deadliest disasters in the Mediterranean in over a year. Although many European countries have increased their border security to prevent this illegal and dangerous migration, the fatality rate on this journey has continued to increase.
Filippo Grandi, the U.N. high commissioner for refugees, has said the following statement: “We cannot turn a blind eye to the high numbers of people dying on Europe’s doorstep.” The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has published a report warning the dangers in the route.
Gender and Migration cross the Mediterranean
There is a connection between gender relations and migration, and according to Marchand 2008; Freedman 2012, this relationship has been highlighted in studies that have taken place all over the world.
Many varying factors such as a countries social and economic standing can form different types of security and conditions for men and women and their power relations. Marchand argues:
It goes without saying that the migration–violence nexus is gendered. Men and women are affected in different ways and the violence to which they are exposed is related to their position with respect to the migration–violence nexus (Marchand 2008: 1387).
Pickering and Cochrane (2012) outline that there is are greater physical danger attached to women crossing the Mediterranean Sea than men, and there is a higher morality rate even once reaching the borders.
Despite these risks, thousands of women continue with the goal seek refuge by crossing the sea to various European destinations. They often face many challenges by doing so but are willing to put their lives at risk in order to flee conflict and persecution in their originating countries. They also often have young children to look after along the route which increases their vulnerability and hardships at sea.
Seas the Day 