Rescue Child labor in Asia

1.   Executive summary

The migration of girls and women from tribal areas to metropolitan cities to become domestic worker is an issue of concern. These women constitute the majority of domestic workers in the urban areas. Poverty, unemployment, illiteracy or ignorance often push these women into forced migration and submit them to easy exploitation by trafficking agents. It is a developmental issue. It is important to understand that migration is not bad, but forced migration and exploitation is a cause of worry.
Summary of key results

General awareness of the situation and issues surrounding domestic workers has been created. There is a will for trafficking to be stopped.

   Unity of domestic workers (forming groups)
   Rescuing children from domestic work
   Building capacity and empowerment of domestic workers
   Enhancement of their wages.
   The employers are changing their attitudes towards the domestic workers giving them basic respect.

Summary of challenges and lessons learned

The targeted groups face many adversities and vulnerabilities that make it hard for them to understand the benefit of the project on a long-term basis.
It was therefore sometimes difficult to have them participate in the activities and programs. Indeed, the attraction to city life as well as the threats of trafficking agents makes it hard to convince the domestic workers to respond to the issue, however with patience and determination many are now aware and willing will to respond to the breach of their rights.

Case intervention
   Case of Genevieve

Genevieve D’souza is a resident of Park Site, Vikroli. On 28/01/2009 this girl was being forced against her will to be sent to Dubai / Kuwait. This case was referred by Hon. MLA Mr.Kapil Patil’s PA Mr. Kamlakar Pawar . Laxman Birmole lodged a complain at the Vikroli Police Station and also brought this girl to Badlapur and kept her in the staff’s house for some days. A complain was made in the Badlapur Police Station.
Genevieve’s Statement: My Father sent my mother to Kuwait. My father was paid a monthly sum of Rs 100000.00. My father was an alcoholic and used to beat me up. He used to force my mother to do things against her will, he tried it with me too. Now his greed has increased even more. He even wants to send me to my mother. Since I am young and 15years only he will be paid a monthly sum of Rs 20,000.00 .I don’t want to go there. I desperately need the help of the movement. This case has been registered at the Women Cell ( Bandra), and it will be under Mr. Rashmi Kadam. The follow up will be done.

   Rasika Patil case: Rasika Patil is an 18year old girl who ran away from Alibaug. She was being ill-treated by her stepmother and she had no one else of hers. She was going towards Nalasupara along with another woman whose intentions did not seem good. We had a talk with her and asked her to come along with us. We brought her and kept her with one of our group leaders at Ambedkar Nagar for a couple of days. We then took her to Andheri and took detailed information about and tried to admit her into a shelter home. She was not happy there but after convincing her that was the only alternative she agreed to stay in the shelter home.


Organizations of special day events

   International day of anti trafficking was organized on the 8th December 2008 in Orissa.

   It had the aim of uniting people against trafficking, to declare the importance of human dignity and the responses that need to be given to it.

   A number of guest speakers spoke about their experiences, the issues of trafficking and situation of domestic workers.

   World AIDS Day, the International Domestic Workers Day on the 9th Jan 2009, and Hope Day on the 22nd of February also united many people.

   A visit of the Royal family of Belgium brought attention to the media on the domestic workers issue so that it became an issue of international priority.


THANK YOU:
We are very grateful for all the support we get from the donors through Global Giving. Through your contributions your are bringing light and life to many women and children.

Dear donors we will be happy to hear from you how do you feel about the way your contribution is extended to the beneficiaries. Kindly share with us your opinion.
Dr. Jeanne Devos
National Coordinator