Gender equality and migration are closely linked to development and increasingly considered one of its key indicators. With over 13 million internally displaced persons in 19 countries, due to armed conflicts and natural disasters Africa remains the continent by far most affected by internal displacement and Sudan and Uganda in the African Great Lake Region are both the source and destination of many refugees. Women play a prominent role in the forced migration context. They face gender-based persecution and violence and have limited access to reproductive health services.

Universities and research institutes may play a relevant roles in mitigating issues of gender-based persecution and violence trough relevant migration and gender study programmes and increasing the trends in terms of general awareness of the issues. The IMMIS project aims to implement study modules, strengthen academic research and raise public awareness on migration and gender issues in Uganda and Sudan.