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Rising Asylum Seekers: Women's Plight in Italy Soars 250%

12/6/2025

23 4 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Esther, a Nigerian woman, escaped exploitation in Libya and sought asylum in Italy after a journey beginning in 2016.
Experts say the number of women like Esther seeking asylum is rising, with a 250% increase in single adult women arriving in Italy via the Balkan route.
Many asylum claims are denied due to misconceptions about gender-based violence, including female genital mutilation, prompting calls for better training for asylum officials.

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Story summary

Esther, a Nigerian woman, escaped exploitation in Libya and sought asylum in Italy after a journey beginning in 2016.
Experts say the number of women like Esther seeking asylum is rising, with a 250% increase in single adult women arriving in Italy via the Balkan route.
Many asylum claims are denied due to misconceptions about gender-based violence, including female genital mutilation, prompting calls for better training for asylum officials.