In brief
The plight of single women migrating to Europe has gained prominence as reports indicate a significant rise in their numbers. Many women, like Esther from Nigeria, face abuse, sexual violence, and exploitation during their treacherous journey. Despite knowing the risks, they continue to seek asylum, often battling systemic challenges and gender-based violence along the way. Support organizations are working to provide assistance, but significant gaps in protective measures persist.
Esther was sleeping on the streets of Lagos when a woman approached her with the promise of a route out of Nigeria to a job and a home in Europe.
She had dreamt of a new life, especially in the UK. Thrown out of a violent and abusive foster home, she had little to stay for. But when she left Lagos in 2016, crossing the desert to Libya, she had little idea of her traumatic journey ahead, forced into sex work and years of asylum claims in country after country.
The majority of irregular migrants and asylum seekers are men - 70% according to the European Agency for Asylum - but the number of women like Esther, who have come to Europe to seek asylum is on the rise.
We are seeing an increase in women travelling alone, both on the Mediterranean and the Balkan routes, says Irini Contogiannis from the International Rescue Committee in Italy.
Its 2024 report highlighted a 250% annual rise in the number of single adult women arriving in Italy on the Balkan route, while families grew by 52%.
Migrant routes are notoriously treacherous. Last year 3,419 migrant deaths or disappearances in Europe were recorded by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) - the deadliest year on record.
But for women, there is the added threat of sexual violence and exploitation, which happened to Esther after she was betrayed by the woman who had promised her a better life.
Many women are aware of the risks but go anyway, packing condoms, or even getting contraceptive devices fitted in case they are raped on the way.
All migrants have to pay a smuggler, says Hermine Gbedo of the anti-trafficking network Stella Polare. But women are often expected to offer sex as part of the payment.
Esther's fight for refugee status took much longer. She first claimed asylum in Italy in 2016. After a long wait, she moved to France and then Germany, where her asylum claims were rejected. She was finally awarded refugee status in Italy in 2019.
Almost a decade on from leaving Nigeria, she wonders if her current existence in Italy was worth the pain she endured to get there: I don't even know the reason why I came to this place.
