Rights for All (RFA) Program under MAP Foundation organized a Migrant Women’s Consultation workshop on 7 September 2025 at Chiang Mai GrandView Hotel, with 42 participants from migrant communities, groups, and NGOs from different part of Thailand- Bangkok, Phang Nga, Chonburi, Chiang Mai, Mae Sot, and Samut Prakan.

The workshop was divided into four sections. In the morning, participants formed groups to discuss Access to Services & Social Protection—including health care, education, social security, housing, and justice.

The second session focused on Legal Identity & Documentation, where participants shared challenges and performed roleplays to highlight real struggles in line with the Global Compact on Migration (GCM) recommendations.

In the afternoon, the third session highlighted on Eliminating Discrimination, with discussions on actions needed to reduce different forms of discrimination in communities.

The final session discussed on the Migration in Crisis, where participants assessed current GCM recommendations, provided additional suggestions for Thai migration policies and how can we work together on improving situation and implementation of recommendations in Thailand and other countries.

This consultation amplified migrant women’s voices and migrants’ experiences, ensuring their concerns and recommendations will be presented at the regional meeting of Asia Pacific for Women and Law Development (APWLD) taking place in Nepal in oct 2025 for upcoming International Review on Global Compact of Migration.

Key recommendations included: establishing a one-stop service for documentation, allowing migrant workers (or with support from Thai individuals) to handle their own work permits and visas instead of relying on employers or agency, providing language translators in immigration offices and courts, creating an All-in-One card for accessing services, recognizing the transfer of school credits for migrant children, ensuring affordable and equal health care, and allowing migrants to open bank accounts with a pink card.

One migrant shared: “it is very hard for us to access services since so many documents are required and some documents is difficult for us to obtain. And we also have struggle in banking, some banks are not accepting Pink card holders.”

A mother added: “A Thai school refused to accept my 9-year-old son. I believe all children should have the right to attend school without discrimination based on age, ethnicity, race, or identity documents. Even though Thai education policy says this, in reality, some schools still refuse migrant children.”

Migrant women perspectives are important in shaping inclusive policies and promote for gender equality in migrant communities.