A major trend in contemporary international migration is the recruitment of women as migrant workers, both documented and undocumented. This article discusses their invisibility and the efforts during the UN Decade for Women, 1976–85, to draw attention to their vulnerable situation and special circumstances. It considers how the United Nations International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families adopted by the General Assembly in December 1990 can provide increased protection for women as migrant workers and as family members. It also points out areas that remained unaddressed in alleviating their triple exploitation as females, workers and foreigners.
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