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CARAM Asia is a regional network working on migration and health issues. Formed in 1997, it has developed into a network of members spread across South East Asia, North East Asia, the Gulf and Middle East. It is an NGO in Special Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations. Four key thrusts and pillars which provide momentum to CARAM Asia programmes are Participatory Action Research (PAR), national and regional advocacy, coalition building and capacity building for CBOs and NGOs working with migrant communities. These approaches provide an impetus for the development of research, publications, campaigns and policy prescriptions for CARAM Asia programmes. CARAM Asia believes that the health status of migrant workers serves as one of the most important and tangible indicators of a migrant’s well-being. Its involvement in the region and through its participatory action research, advocacy, coalition building and capacity building initiatives on health and mobility reveals that migrant workers are marginalised in various health and rights policies and programmes. Issues that are often overlooked include occupational safety, susceptibility to ill health during the migration trail, contracting diseases like HIV, and their problems in accessing healthcare systems. Living conditions across countries often reflect an existence of relative poverty, as the migrant worker often earns wages lower than most local citizens. Poor work and living conditions often result in rapid deterioration of migrant workers health. Furthermore health concerns often fail to look beyond the medical paradigm to consider the larger social, cultural, political and economic contexts in which health issues are embedded. All people have the right to stay or move and live and work in dignity with equal rights in a society, where their quality of life is ensured. EMPOWER: To empower migrants, their families and communities throughout the migration process and build capacities of community based organisations (CBOs) and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) working for the promotion and protection of migrants’ health rights including sexual and reproductive health rights. EVIDENCE BASED: To utilise Participatory Action Research (PAR) to ensure inclusion of migrant voices and perspectives on HIV vulnerabilities, migrant health status and potential policy prescriptions for effective national and regional advocacy. PRINCIPLES, Frameworks and Approaches PRINCIPLES AND FRAMEWORKS CARAM Asia endeavours to institutionalise and incorporate a rights based framework from which to address migrants’ health concerns. Two other frameworks used in developing and implementing programmes are the Greater Involvement of People Living with HIV (GIPA) principles as well as gender and sexuality frameworks. APPROACHES Four key thrusts and pillars which provide momentum to CARAM Asia programmes are PAR, national and regional advocacy, coalition building and capacity building for CBOs and NGOs working with migrant communities. These approaches provide an impetus for the development of research, publications, campaigns and policy prescriptions for CARAM Asia programmes. PAR has assisted migrants in developing information tools which empowers them to understand, provide solutions and better manage their own situations. The real strength in PAR is that it is conducted by local communities for local communities. Outputs from PAR are used for key regional advocacy and capacity building activities aimed at creating a regional response to improving the health and well-being of Asian migrant workers. CARAM Asia Board of Directors comprises of: 1. Sumaiya Islam (Chairperson, Bangladeshi Ovibashi Mohila Sramik Association, Bangladesh) 4. Irene Fernandez (Tenaganita, Malaysia) 8. Retno Dewi (Indonesian Migrant Workers Association, Indonesia) The CARAM Asia Secretariat operates from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The Secretariat Team comprises of:
Mohammad Harun Al Rashid Elizabeth Deveraj Jennifer Dacio Joachim Aye Aye Nwe Musarrat Perveen
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