http://www.thejakartapost.com/detaileditorial.asp?fileid=20070928.D12&irec=4
Watch fate of domestic workers As we approach Idul Fitri celebrations, let us also not forget the thousands of Indonesian domestic workers who are victims of both physical and psychological brutality committed against them daily by our affluent neighbors. We do not and should not be placated by apologies but by real work between governments and stakeholders to protect those who continue to be victimized. The culture of forgiveness should not be an excuse for criminal negligence in the protection of women and children against violence, exploitation and trafficking. Sad to say, these criminal acts of violence are rampant in our own country, where wives and daughters are treated like chattels of the family. Many Indonesian women who go overseas to work as domestic workers are often also victims of abuse by their spouses. Leaving their children becomes a forced option to avoid domestic violence and to achieve financial independence for their futures. Yet for some, their earnings are recklessly squandered away by their spouses. No wonder, such women lose hope and find solace in the arms of "strangers" overseas, subjecting themselves to the risk of contracting HIV Aids. Our country must resolve to protect our women from espousal betrayal and brutality. Violence is wrong wherever it is committed, and by whomever. We, the female domestic workers of Indonesia denounce acts of violence committed against our people overseas and we also denounce acts of violence committed against us in our own country, by our own countrymen. Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere (Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.). RAHAYU GABRELLE Chairwoman Solidaritas Migran Scalabrini Batam printer friendly Post Your Comments Comments could also be sent to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Post message: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe : [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe : [EMAIL PROTECTED] List owner : [EMAIL PROTECTED] Homepage : http://proletar.8m.com/ Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/proletar/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/proletar/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
