Between the Millstones: the Situation of Migrant and Refugee Women in Egypt

The number of Sudanese nationals seeking refuge in Egypt has reached unprecedented levels, especially after the outbreak of war in Sudan in April 2023, making Sudanese nationals the largest expatriate group in the country. They are followed by Syrians and, in smaller numbers, migrants from South Sudan, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Yemen, Somalia and Iraq. At the same time, Egypt is facing an economic crisis that cannot be ignored. This crisis is the result of a variety of factors, including global influences and the burden of foreign debt, which have led to a rapid rise in prices. However, in recent months, there have been numerous cases of hate speech and incitement against migrants and refugees in Egypt, as evidenced by posts on social media, official statements, such as those made by the president and prime minister, and media contributions, especially on talk shows. Asylum seekers and migrants are blamed for the rise in food prices and housing costs and are seen as contributing to the worsening economic crisis.

Author: Shima Samy, head of data analysis unit of Seif Foundation

Please find the report below.

Current projects

Show all


The Mediterranean: monitoring, research, identification

borderline-europe is involved in two very different MONITORING projects:

  • In ‘Detention, illegalisation and the so-called CEAS reform in southern Italy’, the focus is on the implementation of the European Pact on Migration at the EU's external border. The project started in September 2024.
  • "Invisible" is about the situation of refugees in Sicily.
  • Mem.Med is a cooperation project between many entities that carefully focus on the people who have not made it through the dangerous crossing of the Mediterranean Sea. borderline-europe supports the project through volunteers.
read more

Sudan: Documentation of enforced disappearances

Enforced disappearance is a particularly insidious form of political repression. Political opponents are silenced and their entire social circle is intimidated. Together with the Africa Centre for Justice and Peace Studies, we document human rights violations involving cases of disappeared activists and migrants.

read more

Central Mediterranean Info

borderline-europe started in March 2019 to put together information about the situation in the Central Mediterranean Sea for internal research reasons. ISome of the data are published here and on our social media channels.

read more

Situation of refugees and migrants in Italy

Here you can find our monthly Update on the situation in Italy "Scirocco - News in Brief" and further information on the situation of refugees and migrants in Italy.

read more

Criminalization of Migration & Solidarity in Italy

The collective attempt of shutting down borders of the EU takes place by numerous means of deterrence to prevent people from seeking safety in Europe. The criminalisation of people on the move is part of it.A project in cooperation with UNITED4RESCUE

read more

Get Insights

The debate on migration is becoming increasingly polarised and politically instrumentalised. In a new series, borderline-europe is questioning widespread myths such as the supposed overburdening of the economy or the alleged increase in crime caused by migrants.

read more