Background information
on gender and asylum issues

CGRS’s core mission is to protect the basic human rights of refugee women and girls by advancing gender-sensitive asylum laws, helping advocates successfully represent women in need of protection, and preventing these refugees from being forcibly returned to the countries from which they have fled.

In addition to engaging in scholarly research, policy work, and impact litigation, the Center carries out original research and advocacy initiatives around human rights violations in specific countries or regions of the world. CGRS also seeks to address root causes for migration flows, including injustices and human rights violations against women in refugee-producing countries.

• Latest News & Updates

CGRS is Hiring for Fall 2012!
CGRS is seeking talented undergrad, graduate and law students to join our team this Fall.  Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until the positions are filled.  
 
-  Refugee and Human Rights Law Clerk position, click here. 
-  Refugee and Human Rights Intern position, click here. 
-  Communications and Development Intern position, click here. 

Take action TODAY:  urge the House to reject H.R. 4970, a bill that is dangerous for victims of domestic violence. 

On Tuesday, May 8th the House Judiciary Committee passed H.R. 4970, the Adams (R-FL) version of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA).  This bill puts victims in danger and eviscerates protection for immigrant victims and survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse, and other aggression. The bill, which is headed to a floor vote on Wednesday, May 16 must be stopped. Act NOW. 

Learn more about VAWA.

Asylum Aid released a new research report, "I feel like as a woman I'm not welcome": A gender analysis of UK asylum law, policy and practice. 
The report combines legal and qualitative research to test the Government against its promises to establish a gender-sensitive asylum system.  Drawing on interviews with asylum-seeking women and refugees across the UK, the report also brings together the jurisprudence and policies most relevant to those with gender-based asylum claims in a single document for the first time.  In so doing, it maps the work still ahead in order for the Government to honour its commitments.  To download a copy of the report click here.

Two Year Anniversary of the Earthquake: CGRS Releases Report on Sexual Exploitation in Haiti
On the two year anniversary of the earthquake in Haiti, CGRS, together with MADRE, KOFAVIV, CUNY Law School and NYU's Global Justice Clinic, releases a new report Struggling to Survive: Sexual Exploitation of Displaced Women and Girls in Port au Prince Haiti. The report was compiled based on interviews with Haitian women and girls who have either engaged in transactional sex or who know people who have. Information was also collected through interviews with Haitian government officials, service providers and women's rights advocates. The report highlights current barriers to addressing sexual exploitation and offers recommendations to protect the human rights of women and girls engaging in transactional sex. In addition, the report offers a unique legal analysis of the protections available for women and girls who have experienced a wide range of human rights violations associated with sexual exchanges.  Press release available here and full report available here.

CGRS Collaborates with Expert Nancy Lemon to Update Domestic Violence Declaration
In collaboration with Nancy Lemon, an expert on domestic violence and lecturer at Boalt Hall School of Law, CGRS has completed an updated expert declaration on domestic violence.  The new version of the declaration addresses the relationship between alcohol and domestic violence, as well as the connection between domestic violence and child abuse.  Attorneys representing clients seeking asylum on the basis of domestic violence are welcomed to contact CGRS for more information and a copy of the declaration. 

Support IVAWA Help End Violence Against Women-Learn How

Victory in closely-watched gender asylum claim – Ms. L.R. granted asylum on the heels of a December 2009 grant to Rody Alvarado. Read The New York Times story HERE. For more information, on the L.R. case, click HERE.

On May 19, 2010 the Senate Judiciary Committee held a hearing on the Refugee Protection Act of 2010 (S.3113). Read CGRS’s written testimony on the importance of the bill, submitted for the record.

Copies of CGRS’s March 2010 filing in the L.R. case on remand are now available; please click here to request copies and/or assistance for a related matter

CGRS Director Karen Musalo is recipient of 2010 California Lawyer Attorney of the Year Award. Read more here.

On March 15, 2010 the The Refugee Protection Act of 2010 was introduced in an effort to renew the U.S. commitment to protect refugees. Read the full summary here. Take action here.

• 2008 CGRS Annual Report