Restrictions on women’s labour migration ranging from outright migration bans to prerequisites relating to age and marital status – are one way in which states attempt to address the risk of exploitation and abuse faced by women migrant workers. Though intended to protect women from harm, gender-based migration restrictions violate numerous international legal standards addressing discrimination and equal opportunity, as well as the right to leave a country. Protected or put in harm’s way? Bans and restrictions on women’s labour migration in ASEAN countries was commissioned by the International Labour Organization (ILO) and UN Women to assess the effectiveness of gender-based migration restrictions in preventing exploitation.