Good Morning Fellow End-Trafficking Advocates!
Well, I don’t know if I could classify the totality of today's morning as 'good', perhaps 'solemn' or 'overwhelmed' would be more appropriate terms to use. I spent the last hour flicking through the new report by Human Rights Watch (October 2011): 'The Deceived Us at Every Step: Abuse of Cambodian Domestic Workers Migrating to Malaysia' Inside the report it documents interviews with domestic workers, government officials, non-government agencies about the abuse, exploitation, and trafficking of Cambodian women & girls who work abroad in Malaysia.
The report confirms, with lots of well-researched documentation, the stories and rumors that have been floating through my ears over the last year plus. What I loved most about reading the report today was how beautifully it highlights the voices of 28 female domestic workers. While tediously reading (okay, skimming) through the facts, recommendations, and definitions of trafficking, debt bondage, and forces labour, it was their voices that caught my attention. I wanted to hear how they felt, what they needed, and where I could fit into their stories. Each word they said spoke more passion & frustration & angst into my body.
This report is not the beginning of this issue, nor is it a report of how the issue has been successfully-forever-resolved (oh how I wish!). It falls somewhere gracefully in the middle -between the general Cambodian public becoming aware of the issue, the government stating a ban on domestic workers to Malaysia, as well as a larger call to action for the wider globe to join in this awareness & advocacy.
I strongly urge each person reading our blog to 1) download the report (here, in English & Khmer) and 2) pray about how you can add your voice to the increasing volume of collective voices shouting for PROTECTION, for DIGNITY, and for HOPE!
Interested to read more?
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