The International Organization for Migration (IOM), as well as more than 30 government and civil society institutions, were recognized by Panama's Ministry of Women for their crucial role as strategic allies in the promotion of gender public policies in the country.

The Ministry of Women (MIDEM) is the result of the fight of women's organizations to establish an autonomous State entity, which was achieved through the advocacy of the National Council for Women (CONAMU). Through its development, MIDEM has managed to place issues such as gender-based violence, political participation and women's empowerment on the public agenda.

The award ceremony took place on 14 May 2024 and served to honour a year of work, recognizing the progress and achievements made in the promotion of equal opportunities, empowerment, respect and fulfillment of women's Human Rights.

"The fight of women in the country has been strengthened thanks to you (the recognized organizations and institutions). We must move forward from wherever we are, because this is not a personal issue, it is an issue of principles, democracy and social justice; to support 50% of the population of our country, which are women," said Juana Herrera Araúz, Minister of Women, during the ceremony.

Likewise, the UN Resident Coordinator in Panama, Ana Patricia Graça, expressed her enthusiasm by stating that the hard work done by the IOM team in Panama day by day is being recognized by the National Government. "This recognition represents a significant step in Panama's progress towards reducing the inequality gaps that still persist," he added.

IOM implements various actions at the national level that have a direct impact on the lives of migrant women, such as the project implemented with the IOM Development Fund (IDF) that seeks to strengthen the capacities of local governments to mitigate the risks of gender-based violence and provide support to survivors in transit through the provinces of Darién and Chiriquí. Similarly, the Organization has participated in the update of the new Public Policy on Equal Opportunities for Women (PPIOM) 2024-2033, which seeks to promote the elimination of the structural causes of inequality and the generation of national mechanisms that allow the incorporation of all women into sustainable development processes to be implemented.

Giuseppe Loprete, Director of the Panama Administrative Centre (PAC) and IOM Panama Chief of Mission, received the award along with other UN agencies and highlighted the importance of joint efforts, especially in this period of government transition. "Collaboration between international organizations and governments can help ensure

that existing initiatives are maintained and strengthened, and that new strategies are adapted to the ever-changing needs," he concluded.

For more information, contact IOM Panama's communications team at iompanama@iom.int.