It has been acknowledged that gender is an important dimension of the Indian diaspora as in the formation of the diaspora over four waves of migration and its successful transformation into a 'knowledge' diaspora, to which women have made a tremendous contribution.

At the same time, there are issues like marriage frauds where the overseas Indian women are the victims. Their voices ought to be heard.
Also, many overseas Indian women have become successful in their professions, including in advocacy on gender matters. They could guide and mentor those in need back home. Finally, women working as housemaids and in other jobs in the Gulf are the 'diaspora' themselves. India must respond to their specific problems.

Hence, there is a need to focus at gender-specific issues when it comes to the Indian diaspora.

Right from the time of the inception of the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs in May 2004, the problem of marriage frauds, in which Indian women are victims, had been articulated in several fora including the media. The matter was discussed initially at a meeting convened by the NHRC where it was agreed that an Information Booklet for the guidance of the woman and her family would be useful. Thereafter, the matter was further discussed at a meeting of NGOs and law firms where the Human Rights Law Network came forward to help put together an information booklet based on inputs from all the parties concerned. A copy of this booklet was circulated to the State Governments concerned in October 2005.

Also, at the 4th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas held in Hyderabad from January 7 to 9, a parallel session on gender issues was held.

This was the first time that the subject of 'gender issues' was taken up at the PBD.

The session decided to ensure that the gender dimension is built into the agenda for engagement with the diaspora and that national consultations on the issue and meetings with NRI women groups should be organised to make them aware of their rights.

Following are the ways forward that the session arrived at:

1. Instituting a series of measures ranging from sensitisation and creation of awareness to legal and legislative changes.

2. Releasing information booklets to prevent fraudulent marriages.

3. Setting up a gender cell in the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs to deal with gender issues of overseas Indians.

4. Continued interaction with the stakeholder bodies such as between the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs and NCW and related women groups.

5. Advise State governments to set up special cells for providing free legal aid and counseling.

6. Orientation programmes to help brides from rural background adjust to the Western way of life.

7. Prepare a directory of helplines in different cities and countries.