கவனிக்க: இந்த மின்னூலைத் தனிப்பட்ட வாசிப்பு, உசாத்துணைத் தேவைகளுக்கு மட்டுமே பயன்படுத்தலாம். வேறு பயன்பாடுகளுக்கு ஆசிரியரின்/பதிப்புரிமையாளரின் அனுமதி பெறப்பட வேண்டும்.
இது கூகிள் எழுத்துணரியால் தானியக்கமாக உருவாக்கப்பட்ட கோப்பு. இந்த மின்னூல் மெய்ப்புப் பார்க்கப்படவில்லை.
இந்தப் படைப்பின் நூலகப் பக்கத்தினை பார்வையிட பின்வரும் இணைப்புக்குச் செல்லவும்: Voice of women 1996.01

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in Journal for Women's Liberation
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C O N T E N T S
In this issue
Looking at the Forum with a Woman's Eye Sight & Sounds. Forum'95 The Walls that spoke at the NGO Forum. A Woman's Creed
Reporting from the Forum Migrant Women
Sithy Farook
Rape
I Am A Girl
NewS
TWO Poems
Health Watch
Cover by Marion E Timm
14
18
22
24
26
30
31
Assistant Executive Vice Chancellor
University of California, Irvine
Om location Hurastrog
Designed by Charitha Dissanayake
Guest Editor Danielle Atkins
ISSN 139-0906
threatening future clea,
In this is at the Foru given to the has remain
In our a Hurairou w - saying it in from the F articles am, UN Confer, is documen a few work. compared 1
eCe.
The rest along with, is backed b Farook, a S
gOvernmen revealed a Philippines protected b
The big chy, rape, i The short migrant wo
In our in held by Voi Hurairou.
 

2-1-
Post Beijing Issue
January 1996 0 vol. 4 Issue 4
in this issue
། OUR last issue focused on
intense global and local preparatory work for the women's meetings in Hurairou and Beijing. Since then much water has flown under the bridge, some to sweep us off our feet and some making the er and more hopeful.
sue we try to convey something of what took place m level, the airing 'we had and the mighty push UN Conference alasil whose Platform for Action ed up to this moment, a secret to us.
ttempt to convey a micro view of the activities at e have "A Woman's View" followed by "Images" pictures, a visually powerful medium. Reportings Forum and the UN Conference are important Ong the files of the Summit happenings. From the ence, Mongella's speech addressing the opening fed here briefly. Also included are the activities of hops which are forward looking in content when o the conventional set up and work of the Confer
of the issue includes a paper on Migrant Women some case recordings from the daily papers. This the famous trial" and sentence of death on Sithy ri Lankan woman. The response by the Sri Lankan at the time to our actions (reproduced elsewhere) different attitude to that, for instance, by the or India, where migrant women workers are y the state and extraditory agreements.
est and cruelest weapon in the hands of patriaronce again highlighted in a paper by Danielle. tory, "I am a girl, takes up the issue from the rker and the article on rape.
ws among other things is a post Beijing meeting pe of Women networking with SIDA delegates to
●
17A, Park Avenue, Colombo 05 Tel. 580962
January 1996 0 Voice of Women 0 1

Page 4
Looking at the
W0
Eva Rana weera
I had the privilege of going to Beijing and joining the 36000 world women who gathered at the Forum convened in Huairou in the People's Republic of China from 30/8/95 to 9/ 9/95. I will add the 5000 strong Chinese delegation to this number, to convey the full physical strength of the gathering. In this context I can understand the anxious questions my friends levelled at me on my return from this awesome assembly.
What happened? What did you do? What did you achieve?
What happened? My friends had read of media reports of meetings held by the lesbians and the prostitutes (two categories of human beings, strictly female, who have yet to establish in the 3rd world countries, as having a claim to human rights), of the rain and the mud, the pillows filled with paddy seeds, escalating prices of food, bad accommodation etc. Were these the important things that happened in Huairou?
Although I associate myself with activities of the media, I cannot understand this attitude of the main stream publications. When the UN took up the questions of Palestine, of Angola, of South Africa, of Egypt, or of new admissions to membership, didthe media highlightweather conditions, the escalating price of food, the lodging of the reporters or any other personal happenings as of prime importance, even more than the reason for which the assembly was convened? Is this what we call shades of patriarchy? Are women journalists patriarchs too since they have invaded the domain of long time patri
2 0 Voice of Women 0 January 1996
archy, or do they
adoption of these : sounds in some di tive approach to th
Coming to mo tions, what did I d
I attended wC overnight from a C free of charge, I sa listened to femini often black Africa my snack lunch; w cultural perform Ibsens' Women in gle for liberation; tent, the book exh Asia Pacific exhi for the main UN ( provided observe credited organisati Wall and other si lots of books from guages Departime
What did I ach achieve? This is of tion asked by my evant to all who g; and at the UNCon How do we measu yardstick? Althou common yardstic urement be acco egate's needs and theless, I guess t who returned with at least touring t China and realis giant was rising.
For two years tic global prepara There were symp Sisters from deve get as many as pate. There were tated delegate's expenses during

forum With
I's eye
hang on there by Ittitudes? All this Smal Way a negae question.
re personal quesD?
rkshops selected lirectory supplied w feminist plays; st songs sung by in friends as I ate atched traditional ances, vatched the earliest strugvisited the Global ibition, the South bition; registered onference which * status to the acons; Saw the Great ghts; and, bought the Foreign Lan
nt.
ieve? What did we ne important quesfriends and is relathered at Huairou ference in Beijing. re this, what is our gh there can be no k, I feel each measding to each delcapacity. Neverhere are very few nothing achieved, beautiful, cultured ing a third world
here had been hection for this event. athic responses by loped countries to ossible to particiunders who facilitravel and other heir stay in China.
The 12 major issues identified as the critical areas of concern were: poverty; education; health care; violence against women; effects of armed conflict; economic structures and policies, sharing of power; advancement of women; women's human rights; women and the media; women and the environment; and, the girl child, were discussed and debated at group meetings, workshops on anational and regional level, five regional prepatory meetings, and at expert group meetings. There were also three full sessions and two intersessional meetings of the CommisSion on the Status of Women (which served as the preparatory Committee for the Conference).
These twelve issues are to usher women into the main stream which is also full of cross currents and upheavals. For instance with the issue of poverty, or feminisation of poverty, the system is to give loans and other aid to the women to hopefully alleviate their poverty. However, it has tended to increase it as the already debt ridden woman has to utilise the aid in the non productive clearance of debt.
In this type of development process the once breeder of more hands, the mother, becomes the breeder of more mouths and thus the breeder of increased poverty. This system devalues her and she losses her traditional respect and homage due to deified motherhood. She stands faced with an entirely new concept and she is lost in the world of technology and the new sciences. She qualifies herself to the patriarchal claim that she is emotive, lacking in the sciences, planning and technology. Offering an alternative to the problem Asian Women's Human Rights Council

Page 5
says "To tackle and overcome this problem what we need are not new indicators or scales of poverty. What we need is an index of violence to gauge the violence of dominant developmental paradigm that has infact created this poverty and scarcity".
The outcome of all this is the Platform for Action, the final document to emerge from the UN Fourth World Conference on Women, which highlights the concerns pushed forward by the NGO Forum so that they entered the document in full strength.
The Platform for action started in 1993 as a three page outline and served as a nucleus for the final policy document. Its objectives are realistic and strategic. The target is the acceleration of progress of women with the commitment of governments. Why this important document is an outcome of the Conference and not
the Forum is ob manner. A docu not committed in a loud proclama on the nation st ment Such a thin bility of the nat ment the Platfor less to say, the N movers in the v concerns with in Ommendations : reports, group m national prepara These formed t nation states.
The Platform paragraphs in six nist circles, sup Come Of the "I participatory pre any of the UN gl
the 1990s".
 
 

Gathering outside the Plenary Session
vious in a strategic ment of the Forum is ationally and will be ion with no binding ates that can impleg. It is the responsiion states to implem for Action. NeedNGO's are the prime Vriting down of the nformation and recsupplied in national eetings, regional and atory meetings etc. he force behind the
for Action with 362 ; sections is, in femiposed to be the outmost inclusive and 'paratory process of Obal Conferences of
Section V called on governments to develop national plans by 1996 including resource allocation for implementation. It also recommended a mid term World Conference and the appointment of a high level post in the office of the UN Secretary General.
NGOs rallied in Hauirou to protect gains made at the Population Conference held in Cairo. They supported and stregthened recommendations related to accountability and financial resources.
To my mind the most important achievement was the acceptance of the common target towards which all of us were travelling, the solidarity and awareness expressed and the tolerance of other stifling thoughts exhibited at a few rallies. ()
The Global Tent
January 1996 0 Voice of Women 0 3

Page 6
ights an
4 0 Voice of Women 0 January 1996
 

di Sounds-Forum'95
Pictures & text by Ramani Fernando
PROTESTS and demonstrations were held in large numbers at the NGO Forum on Women. Reassured by the words of the Executive Director of the Forum, Irene Santiago, protesters came Out in large numbers.
"Protesters are free to use any areas in the Forum site, as the rules of the United Nations demand and We will go by that," said Ms. Santiago at a Press Conference during the Forum.
Protests and demonstrations on Various issues were staged everywhere in the Forum site. Here a group of Islamic Women protest against an anti-fundamentalist group, which protested on a previous day at the site, against strict Islamic laws and regulations which contravened women's rights.

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The Valls See at
THE NGO Forum on women strictly adhered to th basic right of freedom of expression. Protests, demon strations, distributing of leaflets and posters were som activities other than the formal sessions and workshop through which women expressed their opinions, view, and thoughts. These "expressions" were held daily an drew large crowds - participants as well as observers sympathisers as well as the curious.
The most important and lasting of expression at the Forum site were its walls. Walls and notice boards were many around the Forum site and every inch of space was covered with posters, notices and announcements.
A close look at the "walls" showed three categories o content-announcements, messages and the most impor tant category of statements of support or protest regard ing various issues - the environment, rights of migran women, peace, gay and lesbian rights, and against rap and murder of innocent women, domestic violence, pros titution, sex tourism, bride selling....
 
 

Announcements included notices of forthcoming events, changes in venue, new events and calls for various groups of women to gather for various events. Messages ranged from notices about a lost drum (used at a musical event) to personal messages - so and so meet so and so at such a place etc.
The issues presented on the walls of the Forum spoke a million words during the nine days of the Forum. Their constant and prominent presence undoubtedly made every participant not only aware of such issues but realise their importance and the urgent necessity to work together to solve or remedy them.
Some issues from the walls:
OO Collectively make a difference - Let's
fight AIDS
(Africans in Partnership Against AIDS) OO Support the campaign for justice and
January 19960 Voice of Women 0.5

Page 8
solidarity with Filipinos and other Asian victims of military sexual slavery by Japan.
OO On the environment...
The earth is Our mother and we are all her children -
Hindu
Every human act of irresponsibility towards creatures
is an abomination - Christian
Mankind's role on earth is that of a trustee - Muslim
The earth is but one country and mankind its citizen
Bahai
(Young Women and Environment - Bahai Young
Women of Malaysia)
OO Ratify!!
International Convention on Protection of the Rights of all Migrant Workers and Members of their Families as one step forward in Defending human dignity and human rights)
6 0 Voice of Women 0 January 1996
 
 

OO Prostitution, sex tourism, bride selling, wife abuse, rape - are all human rights violations against Women
OO Iranian Baseeji Women say: Suitable peace
and security in the world is the prerequisite for the advancement of women.
OO Enact laws recognising mother as natural
guardian.
OO No eviction without rehabilitation
OO Undocumented women migrant workers are
not criminals.
OO Equality is more than symbolic - it is divine.
OO Equal pay for women's work of equal value
- An Asia Pacific demand.
OO Involve women in official peace processes.
OO Wife assault is a crime - it is a community
COCCIT).

Page 9
There was a mad Scramble for Forum Kits. Here volunteer hands out the bags containing the Forum Kit C program books and maps.
These cloth bags sparked off a controversy which wa highlighted in the newspaper published for the Forum title Forum '95.
Aleaflet distributed at the Forumclaimed Esprit, the U. company which gave 38,000 cloth carrier bags for th Forum was using sweatshop labour to produce garment
The Peace Train from Finland to China left Helsinkio August 7th, 1995 on a 3 week journey to Beijing carryin 233 passengers from 42 countries to attend the Fourt World Conference on Women.
The traincommenced its historic journey from Helsink and travelled through Russia, Ukraine and Kazakhsta onward to China. The journey involved two trains - Russian and a Chinese train and the passengers spent th days in Workshops organised and presented by passenge
 
 

and participants were asked to send back the label inside the bag to Esprit as a mark of protest.
However, subsequently, the Forum of 5th September 1995 carried an article refuting the contents of the leaflet. The newspaper quoted the Executive Director of the Forum, Irene Santiago, as strongly refuting the allegation against Esprit and stating that "Esprit makes their suppliers sign detailed guarantees that they are not exploiting Workers. They are a model of this type of socially responsible corporation." (Forum '95 of 5/9/95)
themselves and also visiting cities and meeting other women.
Pictured here are two passengers from the Peace Train including Manel Tiranagama from Sri Lanka.
"It was a wonderful experience," she said. "We met many women from many cities. However, as we came into China the train was heavily guarded by Chinese security personnel and we were able to meet people in China only after reaching Beijing. But in spite of this it was a memorable journey," she added.
January 1996 0 Voice of Women 0 7

Page 10
A VVOman'
The Declaration of the Women's
WE are female human beings poised on the edge of the new millennium. We are the majority of our species, yet we have dwelt in the shadows. We are the invisible, the illiterate, the labourers, the refugees, the poor.
And we vow: NO MORE.
We are the women who hunger - for rice, home, free
dom, each other, ourselves.
We are the women who thirst - for clean water and
laughter, literacy, love.
We have existed at all times, in every society. We have survived femicide. We have labelled - and left clues.
We are continuity, weaving future from past, logic with
lyric.
We are the women who stand in our sense, and shout
YES.
We are the women who wear broken bones, voices, minds, hearts - but we are the women who dare whisper NO.
We are the women whose souls no fundamentalist cage
can contain.
We are the women who refuse to permit the sowing of
death in our gardens, air, rivers, Seas.
We are each precious, unique, necessary. We are stregthened and blessed and relieved at not having to be all the same. We are the daughters of longing. We are the mothers in labour to birth the politics of the 21st Century.
We are the women men warned us about.
We are the women who know that all issues are ours, who reclaim our wisdom, reinvent our tomorrow, question and redefine everything, including power.
We have worked now for decades to name the details of our need, rage, hope, vision. We have broken our silence, exhausted our patience. We are weary of listing refrains of our suffering - to entertain or be simply ignored. We are done with Vogue words and real waiting, famishing for action, dignity, joy. We intend to do more than merely endure and survive.
They have tried to deny us, define us, denounce us: to jail, enslave, exile, gas, rape, beat, burn, bury - and bore us. Yet nothing, not even the offer to save their failed system, can grasp us.
For thousands of years, women have had responsibility without power - while men had had power without responsibility. We offer these men who risk being
8 0 Voice of Women 0 January 1996

screed
Global Strategies Meeting
brothers a balance, a future, a hand. But with or without them, we will go on.
or we are the Old Ones, the New Breed, the Natives who come first but lasted, indigenous to an utterly different dimension. We are the girl child in Zambia, the grandmother in Burma, the woman in El Salvador and Afghanistan, Finland and Fiji. We are whale-song and rainforest; the depth-wave rising huge to shatter glass power on the shore; the lost and despised who, weeping, stagger into the light.
All this we are. We are intensity, energy, the people speaking -who no longer will wait and who cannot be stopped.
We are poised on the edge of the millennium-ruin behind us, no map before us, the taste of fear sharp On Our tongues.
(et we will leap.
The exercise of imagining is an act of creation.
The act of creation is an exercise of will.
ALL THIS IS POLITICAL AND POSSIBLE,
Bread. A clean sky. Active peace. A woman's voice singing somewhere, melody drifting like smoke from the cookfires. The army disbanded, the harVestabundant. The wound healed, the child wanted, the prisoner freed, the body's integrity honoured, the lover returned. The magical skill that reads marks into meaning. The labour equal, fair, and valued. Delight in the challenge for consensus to solve problems. No hand raised in any gesture but greeting. Secure interiors - of heart, home, land-so firmas to make secureirelevantatlast. Andeverywhere laughter, care, celebration, dancing, contentment. A humble, early paradise, in the now.
We will make it real, make it our own, make policy, history, peace, make it available, make mischief, a difference, love, the connections, the miracle, ready.
BELIEVE IT.
We are the women
who will transform the world.
Written by Robin Morgan, in collaboration with Perita Houston, Sunetra Puri, Mahnaz Afkhami, Diane Faulkner, Corrine Kumar, Simla Wali and Paolo Melchiori at the 1994 Women's Environment and Depelopment Organisation (WEDO) Global Strategies Meeting.)

Page 11
Reporting fr
Rhetoric or revolution?
By Rina Jiminez-David.
"ACTION speaks louder than words," said Gertrude Mongella, Secretary General of the Fourth World Conference's opening session.
Mongella appealed to governments represented in the Conference to commit to specific courses of action, saying "This is the mission of Beijing". Each government must now set priorities, specify the resources it will contribute and declare what steps it will take to hold itself accountable to the world's women," she added.
Mongella likewise appealed "to each woman participating in the Conference and in the NGO Forum not only to serve as representatives of their governments and non-governmental organisations but also to become committed crusaders in the struggle in which we have been engaged in for many years."
With the staging of the Conference in Beijing, Mongella said, "All the indications point to a social revolution in the making."
In an address read by his Special Advisor Ismat Kittani, UNSecretary
General Boutro women are the in every dimens and developme WOman On eart and hopes of fields are advai man society con
Prominant w the world like Conference. Pri Bhutto of Paki lamic societies, try's, to addres women, includin erenceforboyst girls to a life compared to boy ers who spokew Finnbogadotti Speciosa Wand President and and Developm Madame Nguy; President Of Vie
Bhutto desc the world's won engulfing the w justice and ina lence and acqu mental moral is
 

Om G FOFI
Boutros-Ghali said key to development ion. Equality, peace nt must reach every h. When the rights women in all these hced, so will all hume to benefit."
Moral Crisis
Omen leaders around wise addressed the me Minister Benazir stan challenged Is
such as her couns injustices against g the prevailing prefhathas doomed many pf secondary status 's. Other world leadære: President Vigdis of Iceland, Dr. ira Kazibwe, ViceMinister of Gender nt of Uganda, and \n Thị Binh, Vicetnam.
ibed the situation of en as "a moral crisis prld... a crisis of intion, a crisis of siescence... a fundaue."
Solidarity
She also denounced the use of rape as a weapon of war and an instrument of "ethnic cleansing," calling it "as depraved as it is reprehensible." Wartime rape, she said, dwarfs other women's issues, calling the Conference to express its "complete solidarity with our sisters and daughters who are victims of armed conflict, oppression and brutality." "Their misfortunes", she said, "must be our first priority."
Friendship in Asia Pacific region
IF "de nuclearisation is decolonisation" for the Pacific region, in Asia, "structural adjustment is recolonisation".
Pam Rajput from India, speaking at the Asia Pacific NGO Working Group press briefing, said the process of economic globalisation and the shift to a global market economy "is creating a complete dichotomy between haves and have nots in the region".
With countries throughout Asia
January 1996 0 Voice of Women 09

Page 12
rushing to adopt the free market economic model, the "billions at the bottom" as Ms Rajput calls them, fall prey to exploitation, such as piece rate workers, most of whom are women, who get paid a pittance for long hours of labour without social security or even job security.
Rajput noted that even as states throughout Asia have won their struggles for political liberation, joining the global market brought a new kind of colonisation.
"It's remote control of our lives," she said, through global brands and new found addictions to consumer products among both the affluent and poor of Asian societies.
But even affluence is no guarantee of equity for women, as the Japanese experience shows. Yayori Matsui, a former journalist who now heads the Asian Women's Center in Tokyo, noted that while "Japan has a developed economy, the status of Japanese women has not risen."
It is this "gap between economic development and the status of women" that is the biggest issue among East Asian women, Matsui added. "We need to find an alternative development model that will assure equal development for all, for men and for women," she said.
The Asia Pacific media encounter was enlivened by the appearance of Gertrude Mongella, Secretary General of the Fourth World Conference on Women, and two Asian women who play prominent roles in the Conference and Forum, Kunying Supatra Masdit of Thailand, Convenor of the NGO Forum, and Patricia Licuanan, current chair of the UN Commission on the Status of Women.
In her brief remarks, Liculanan noted how "the Asia Pacific region started things rolling" in the international preparatory process leading towards the Conference, and that "the whole Conference should be grateful to this region" for its efforts to bring the Conference to fruition.
10 0 Voice of Women 0 January 1996
The AsiaPacific (T6 in the regional t NGO women from th for meetings, inform for sharing aspects cultures.
There were tradit and refreshments, boxes, a regional bull lic telephones, video sic presentations, an display and reading ferent countries in th One day each.
●
S H E L.
A Woman
by Diana Pearce
TUESDAY nigh first: Wally N'Dow, Centre for Human the Secretary Gen coming Habitat II C held in Istanbul in Juli a round table to cen and shelter issues in Conference's Platfo and the Habitat II (
Action.
The "super-c GROOTS, HIC Wol Network, and the It discussion with a S woman seeking to b her family, being to she could not own, then being evicted f house, then seeki Beijing, only to fin shelter issues are bor,
The skit membe NGO Voices from Africa and Asia - jd which included en Such as the UNEP Dowdswee, UN V Brenda McSweeney representing the Nail and Pamela Mboya, a

Friendship Tent ent area) offers e region a venue all caucuses and of their varied
ional delicacies national mail etin board, pub), slide and muarts and crafts materials. Difle region hosted
| E | 's issue
It was a historic
head of the UN Settlements and eral of the up onference (to be ne 1996), hosted terStage Women both the Beijing rm For Action Global Plan For
oalition" of men and Shelter CW opened the kit depicting a uild a house for ld as a woman build property, rom her squatter Ing redress in d that women's acketed.
rs - representing Latin America, bined the panel, ninent speakers
head Elisabeth olunteers head y, Mrs Kenyata robi Conference, ambassador from
Kenya to Habitat II.
A discussion followed that included many NGO Forum attendees and brought the many issues, some not addressed in the PFA, others bracketed, that keep women from achieving equality in the area of shelter and housing.
These include laws that bar women from owning or inheriting property, evictions of Squatters, violence that drives women from their homes and communities, lack of building (and housing management and financing) skills, the effects of SAP's on developing countries, the need for NGO's to monitor post-conference commitments, and the need for women to have a voice in the communities, in their nations, and globally, in the design and building of human communities.
The panelists urged that UNCHS make Habitat III a conference of partnerships, where there would be no back doors or side doors for women. They also pressed the organisers of Habitat II not to separate the NGO Forum and the UN COnference as they are here in Beijing, and to provide accessible facilities for the disabled so that they may participate fully.
The Search for a better life goes on
by Huorong Liu
FROM Tokyoto Riyadh, migrant WOmen workers have been Contributing to the much talked about fast economic growth in Asia.
Sad to say, their plight has not been given the same attention.
Irene Fernandez from Women in Detention in Malaysia told a Forum workshop on migrant women in Asia

Page 13
that her country, which is trying to join the newly industrialised economies in Asia, employs some 2 million migrant workers recruited from Pakistan, Thailand, Bangladesh, the Philippines and EastEuropean countries. These migrant workers are either lured by higher paying jobs abroad that help them escape from poverty or violence, she said.
But life in a foreign country in general is not necessarily better, especially for women, as they are usually hired for 3D (dirty, dangerous and difficult) jobs at low pay, and their working and living conditions are Very poor.
According to the Asian Migrant Centre, there are an estimated 4 million legal and illegal contract workers in East and Southeast Asia alone and about half of them are women, who mainly serve as domestic workers and nurSemaids.
Once they are brought into a country, for which they have to pay $3000 each in the case of Malaysia, the migrant workers are not guaranteed a job upon their arrival and they may be resold to their employers, Fernandez said.
Many of them end up in deten
tion centres as the legal papers which enabled them to enter the country are in the hands of their recruiting agents or employers.
Women migrant workers fair even worse as they are often sexually abused by their bosses in their workplaces and by immigration officers or police in detention centres.
"Some of them are pushed out of their countries by violence, only to find more violence," Gina Alunan Melgar from the Philippines said.
In Japan, immigration control bureaus and police often use violence during arrests and investigations of foreign workers, Toshiko Kadokawa, founder of the Forum on Asian Immigrant Workers in Japan, told the workshop.
She spoke of a chinesse woman
who worked in repeatedly by officers in a de she was found visa. She was court procedure began.
The Sex indi able in Japan a number of won the country for and they are in sex trade.
The Migra Research and AI ina report that 8 in Japan work i
"There is a nese nightclub pine pubs, so Filipino women hostesses," she
Women who nese and thus h: do not fair bette
"The lack O. portunities duri drives them to dustries like ni report.
In an effort tices they suffel from further ha workers are get
Their organi government in to recognise the national and loc tection of these
"There is a together and m declared Fernan the NGO "has di
Key ple
Aung San Su While women a evitably pai

hospital and was hit mmigration control ention centre when to have an expired eported later just as against the officers
stry has been profita result of the large en who are taken to obs that do not exist tead forced into the
t Women Workers' :tion Committee said }% of foreign women n the sex industry.
certain type of Japaknown as "Philippalled for the many who work in them as said.
are married to Japaave stable Visa status
T.
falternative job opng the day in Japan take work in sex inightclubs," said the
to address the injusred and protect them rm, migrant women ting organised.
sations are urging the concerned countries situation and apply al laws for the propeople as well."
great need to pull ake labour viable," lez, who accused that ownplayed labour."
O)
nary points ị Kyi
ld children have ina greater price in
terms of war, there has been no known instance in history when women have started a war. Tolerance is the key to peace.
Winona LaDukeWe need to address the distance be
tween peoples and the Earth, key factors in which are: the struggle for human rights, the lack of power and decision making and globalisation. Development and genocide are linked in many ways, indigenous peoples have a right to self determination.
Irene M. Santiago
Women need to develop modes of
collective action that cut across specific issues and borders. For new forms of synergy to move the international women's movement forward, we need Solid analysis that identifies root causes of problems and names of enemies.
From Asia/Pacific
Gita Sen
The new elements of globalisation
have created growing levels of disparities and heightened gender inequality. The economic growth miracle associated with parts of Asia is built on the exploitation of women's labour. The Women's movement must meet the challenge of counteracting globilisation's adverse impact, by: making states more accountable to their citizens and building up civil society.
From Latin America/Carribean
Virginia VargasAn international community of
women should enable us to assert our differences as well as Our commonalities. Economic restructuring has not translated into greater redistribution. There is a need to build networks of Solidarity to confront these negative forces.
January 19960 Voice of Women 0 11

Page 14
Winnie Byanyima
Women need to work together against the uncertainties characterising the rapidly changing world order. While African women are building cross-party coalitions and gaining some influence, democratisation is severely constrained by limited resources and Africa's marginality in the world eCOηOmy.
From Europe and North America
Charlotte Bunch
The perspective from the "belly of the beast." : Women must provide a third option – an alternative from global hegemony and regressive conservatism. Women must offer an alternative to the demonisation of difference that marks religious fundamentalism and right wing politics. Women must demonstrate how solidarity can operate in the midst of diversity. We must continue to redefine the terms, of social, political, economic debate, broadening our understanding of democracy and development.
() Countering conservatism
by Nadia Hijab
LIBERALS the world over are concerned by the swelling tide of conservatism. Womenare especially worried. Religious (and non-religious) conservatives may belong to many faiths and disagree about many things, but they all believe in keeping women in their place. This is such an important issue that one of the Forum plenaries has been dedicated to it.
What to do? It is important to try to understand the complex strands that have come together to create this phenomenon in order to respond.
Poverty and under-development
12 0 Voice of Women 0 January 1996
are one Strand. Peo able to access resou
goats.
The absence of d other key factor. In tries the press is mu; meetings are banne treated as children ti
In many Muslin mosque has provide place and an outlet f dissatisfaction with corruption.
There are many conservatism. Occ eign forces is powe damentalist fire, pa nationalists are unab the sense of being i. only come from mili It can be economic persuasive piece ap nese newspaper in til a woman who argue the veil. The West accept their culturi products unless the make us reject our Wrote.
The domination interpretation of rel tinues, of course, underlying problem religious leaders in they are much mo than their male cou female fundament broad minded.
Finally, the alie by modernisation, other 20th Centuryp people to look for tion. On familiar g| control.
Unpicking the s the conservative pl gests Some strateg developed program at women's econom
Secondly, wome should Seek to foi non-feminist issues from environment

ple who are unrces seek scape
emocracy is antoo many counzzled and public 2d. Citizens are o be guided.
in countries, the d both a meeting or expression of dictatorship and
other causes for upation by forrful fuel for funarticularly when le to deliver. But nvaded does not tary occupation. or cultural. A beared in a Lebahe mid-1980s by 2d for a return to cannot make us 2 and buy their 'y find ways to
own ways, she
by males of the igious texts conto be the major ... When female terpret the texts, re broad minded Interparts. Even alists are more
nation produced urbanisation and henomena drives security in tradiround they are in
everal strands of
nenomenOn Sugies. First, more must be targeted icempowerment.
'n'sorganisations rge alliances on . These can range to democracy. If
conservative groups are willing to joinforces on specific issues, so much the better. Even if no one is won over to an alternative point of view, collaboration on single issues could breed respect and the willingness to work within a democratic framework that is so lacking in the South.
Thirdly, national liberation can and must be combined with social liberation, as the women of South Africa have proven and the women of Palestine are seeking to prove, sadly with less success so far.
Finally, the fact that more and more women are taking on leadershippositions in religious movements brings about change from within, and will help to end the view of women as second-class citizens.
Waluing umpaid work can boomerang
by Birgit Wiig.
FOURTEEN years women all over the world have asked that women's unpaid work be counted in the GNP, the Gross National Product. In Beijing a vast number of women's organisations have signed the petition for a clear and unambiguous issue in the Platform of Action. Governments should quantify and value the contribution of women's unpaid work in agriculture, food production, reproduction and household labour in the GNP and other economic Statistics.
Were we to do so, we would certainly see a nearly total revaluation of most countries' Gross National Products. The value of food produced by women alone would double or triple the income - to say nothing about the value of rearing children.
In the developed countries with

Page 15
high wages, the GNP would increase at least 30 or 40%. But do these figures save people and women from poverty? Yes and no.
How to draw the border line between paid and unpaid work? Men also do unpaid work, although to a much lesser degree than women. Repairing the bike is also necessary, but unpaid if you do it at home. Should this work be counted? Women preparing meals for grownup men: is that work which should be counted? Should not all human beings, women as well as men do the work for their own good?
If you really counted the value of all the tasks women do under the present gender "apartheid" system, where women do the overwhelming part of the chores in the family, it could lead to a preservation of the present gender divided system. The value of the unpaid work is so high that women cannot "afford" to be in the paid labour force with low wages.
This is most likely to deceive. The value of private home work will always be under estimated, simply because the result of this work is consumed by the family themselves and therefore is not object to taxation. For the sake of equality it is still absolutely necessary to keep a very clear definition of what type of unpaid work should be counted.
Certainly workin the field should be counted as income. The same goes in terms of caring for children, disabled persons and old people.
What we all should realise is that the GNP is a very artificial, superficial and incorrect way of counting. There is no reason to be impressed by the present male value system. But Wefeel SO disturbed to reada UN Survey claiming that the global output would increase by 20 or 30% if the unpaid work is counted. We understand the worries of developing countries about the effect on their possibility to raise money from loans or grants if their GNP rose remarkably.
We welcome
paid work. But
solves the inequa also feel offended valued there woul paying for it. An cult if not imposs work. The value
present national the best and fas equality, is for n share all jobs, pa cluding househol
(Birgit Wiig, edi was an editor a newspaper in Na
Tin
SO
by Sakiko Fuku
WOMEN sper ing, longer than m this work is invis due recognition.
This has fartions on the lives thing needs to b inequity. It is ti ghosts", to borr Luisella Goldsch real pioneerin thi
There are reas to measure and Va but controversy is issue, mostly for
We need to cl put the agenda ba
Measuring an unpaid work doe an ice tag to this w giving a salary or also does not mea the national incor
It does meani use surveys, colle developing satelli
 

he counting ofunVe do not think it ity question. We that if this work is be no intention of in fact it is diffible to pay for this s too high for the udgets. We think est way to reach en and women to Id and unpaid, in
work.
or of Forum '95, f the Forum '85
irobi)
he to bust he ghosts
da-Parr
ld long hours worken in fact. Much of ible and not given
reaching implicaof women. Some2 done about this me tO "bust SOme Dw the words of midt-Clermont, a S field.
ܓܠ
ons why we need ue women's work, developing on this spurious reasons.
arify the facts and ck on track.
| valuing women's not mean giving Ork norto actually compensation. It n including this in le aCCOUntS.
plementing timeting statistics and e accounts so that
the information becomes transparent.
The real reasons for measuring and valuing women's unpaid work have nothing to do with arguments based on fear of what might happen if...
Women's contribution to economic production and social reproduction is enormous, but this is hidden from officialstatistics, especially nationalincome accounts, which provide a basic picture of how the productive activities of a society are structured.
Women and men spend as many hours on work that is not in the system of national accounts (SNA). This amounts to more than half of all economic work.
The magnitude of this unpaid work is enormous, and given a monetary valuation it would come to $16 trillion globally, of which women produce $11 trillion.
Thus, women bear the largest burden of this unpaid work, carrying on average 69% of the work.
The magnitude and importance of this unpaid work, must be valued not only in monetary equivalent terms but in Social terms. The unrecognised work of women (and men) may stay a labour of love but must be given full recognition by Society.
Collecting real data - measuring and valuing - is the first step to giving real recognition to this women's work.
Social and institutional arrangements such as divorce settlements, credit systems, inheritance would need to change. Women would no longer be treated as economic nonentities.
(Sakiko Fukuda-Parr is the Director of the Human Development Report Office of the United Nations Development Program -UNDP)
January 1996 0 Voice of Women 0 13

Page 16
Migrant Women da
Danielle Atkins
THE plight of the unskilled migrant woman worker is gaining more and more attention lately as the sometimes brutal reality of her life overseas and its resulting consequences are being recognised as matters of urgency for her homeland community.
The attraction to migrate overseas has increased dramatically since the 1970s. Unlike its neighbouring countries, Sri Lanka has no restrictions for migration which has opened itself as a large and accessible market for skilled and unskilled labour. The bulk of this labour force is comprised of unskilled women (78 per cent) mostly working as housemaids.
For most of these women migration is a viable option to escape an existence which offers no alternatives other than poverty for themselves and their families. With an increased number of women with O/L and A/L looking for employment where there is little to be found, many are entering the garment industry. For most of the women migrating, their education (usually a minimum of eight years) and experience only qualifies them for either domestic or factory work; and, because they fall outside the age bracket preferred by the garment industry, it is migration that they turn to. Also, as the cost of food, expenses and health care have all increased, many look to foreign countries with aspirations for a life they know they can't have here.
Today women migrate
14 0 Voice of Women 0 January 1996
from all over the before when the from Colombo. Th from every ethni background, but has been a drastic number of young migrating. In 198 migrating womei Muslim in comp; centin 1994 (Dias of factors has el change in trend majority of count tion being Muslin trieS vvith the lar Sri Lankan dome Arabia and Kuv number of Mus agents (80 per ce erence to Muslin the issuing of fre to Muslim work
 

mestic Workers
2 island unlike y mainly came he WOne COne c and religious
recently there increase in the Muslim women 57.1 per cent of in workers were arison to 79 per 1995). A number Incouraged this
including: the tries of destinan (the two coungest number of stic being Saudi wait); the large slim recruiting int) giving prefn women; and, be airline tickets ers. As a result,
there has been an escalating problem of forged passports in Muslim names. To prevent this, there's a call to offer free airfare to all migrating women regardless of ethnic or religious background.
AN ESCAPE FROM POWERTY?
Migration is not only a way for the woman to achieve a better life for herself, it is more often than not a family strategy to alleviate economic problems. If this is the case, there are often doubts to whether the women as individuals will benefit economically from the move. As stated in a United Nations study of migrating women, "The likelihood of positive consequences is deemed to diminish when Women are not major actors in making the decision to migrate and especially when, in Societies where women's roles are circumscribed, they are compelled to migrate because of family need." (Richard 1993).
A study conducted by the Women's Bureau showed that 58 per cent of these Women Come from households which earn a net monthly income of less than Rs 500, while 93 per cent come from households earningless than Rs 1000 per month. It's sad irony then that in order to alleviate their poverty, the family falls deeper into it as a result of the expenses outlayed in the process ofmigrating. On average, it takes at least six months for the family to use remittances sent by the women for anything apart

Page 17
from paying debts.
All migrating workers must pay Rs 3000 insurance and registration levy before departing Sri Lanka. Added to this if a woman uses a private recruiting agency to obtain employment the money she outlays can be astronomical. While the amendments to the Foreign Employment Act of 1981 have stiffened penalties for illegal practices of recruiting agencies, and the Sri Lanka Bureau for Foreign Employment Act states that no agent charge more than Rs 150 for fees, there is no enforcement of this Act, and agencies are charging anywhere from Rs 1000 to Rs 50,000 (including airfares) for their services. The fact that the women are willing to indebt themselves and gothrough the agencies is proof of their determination and the desperation that they experience here.
In 1985 the State showed their acknowledgement to the exploitation by private agencies and the complications created as a result, by establishing the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE). This was set up as a Statutory Board under the Ministry of Labour in order to: develop regulations and issue licences to recruiting agencies, set norms for recruiting agencies to follow, and, protect the welfare of the workers.
The SLBFE regulations demand that Contracts between employer and employee are devised before departure; however, enforcement of these contracts is not followed up. There is also no agreed minimum wage and with the increase of women willing to migrate, many are going to poorly paid jobs after sometimes paying unjustifiable commissions to agencies.
Their vulnerabilities as commodities to be used and exploited are highlighted by the fact that they have little to no control or
bargainingpo ation.
The Interna fice States tha ment the wag should be equa als as well as and equal treat
to working ho
holiday with ties and otherb However, this respected in th countries. As domestics eve migrants is not ible form of
employees se countable to
treatment of e
While wag Short term Sur can improveth ing, it is usual and women ar. again for any Also, itis notu ily members wages sent for ment purpose: WOInan SeeS. In hard work. Bec as having mo knowledge of their money, subsequent tir better control and open inde counts to depc
The chance
Innen. Se eCOn On Unskilled fem ers receive an ing of Rs 2761 parison to Rs earned by uns ers (188 per c maids earning
A WOMA
NEVE
The SLBFE

verover their situ
tional Labour Ofduring employes of the migrant l to that of nationthem having fair ment with regards urs, rest periods, ay, welfare facilienefits (ILO 1986). is not enforced or e majority of host well, the role of n if they are not consideredacredemployment and em not to be acanyone for their imployees.
es Sent home for vival of the family Leir standard of livly not sustainable e forced to migrate long term benefit. ncommon for famto abscond with long term investS. So on return, the to evidence of her ause of this as well re confidence and how to manage women migrating mes are usually in of their finances pendent bank acsit their money.
es of enjoying imnic gain are little. ale domestic workaverage total earnper month in com4416 per month killed male workent of the houses (Marga 1989).
N'S WORKS
R DONE
explain that the
three major problems faced by employees is non payment of wages, lack of correspondence with family (restricted contact being a strategy used by employers to maintain control) and both mental and physical harassment.
A 1988 survey of 1224 unskilled returnees showed that 12 per cent of participants came home because of unsatisfactory working conditions, 189 were not given even half a day per week leave, and 37 female domestics could not endure the harassment so left (Ariyawansa 1989).
One way to remedy the troubles faced by employees who do not receive payments would be to establish a fund that can provide insurance against this as well as disability. Recommendations from a policy paper conducted by the Women's Chamber of Industry and Commerce (1993) suggests such a fund be administered by the Ministry of Labour through the SLBFE where at least one per cent of the total value of inward remittance earnings be contributed.
Working conditions are usually characterised by long working hours and heavy workloads that combine cooking, washing, cleaning and child minding. While not all experiences with employees arenegative, there has been an increase in publicised cases where women were harshly mistreated and subjected to traumatic demands. In Singapore, for example, employers work in a rigid Chinese framework and there have been instances where women were forced to have compulsory pregnancy tests every six months, and have had to cut their hair in the name of cleanliness. Not only is this a total invasion on the woman's privacy, it is also a strategic control mechanism used to strip away the employees cultural identity, humiliating her into a subservient and oppres
January 1996 0 Voice of Women 0 15

Page 18
sive position.
In order to prepare the women for both the physical duties and mental pressures they might encounterin their employment, predeparture training is provided. However, some women are reluctant to attend believing it is purely skills training. Compulsory pre departure training that incorporates confidence building and awareness raising about their rights and benefits as workers, problems they'll face and strategies to use, is vital for the welfare of all migrant workers and their families. The need to incorporate management techniques for families in the woman's absence is also a suggestion for training programs.
WHO STANDS TO GAIN?
Already we have discussed the outcomes that the migration process may have for the woman worker, but there are others in this venture that can also benefit as well as loose from the experien Ce.
Intermediary agencies are making big money out of this despite the laws and regulations that are supposed to prevent their illegal practices. The difficulty however in nabbing unlicensed agencies lies in that the women are willing participants in the whole deal going to these agencies voluntarily in desperation, therefore, they too are reluctant to complain or report them.
For the sending countries they stand to gain from the remittances brought in by migrant workers. In Sri Lanka the total of all inward remittances has becomeone of the highest source of foreign exchange earnings. As this comes to Rs 18 billion annually, the government relies on this type of revenue to help solve the balance of
16 0 Voice of Women 0 January 1996
payments. Also, t nationals outsid helps alleviate th employment prol
Receiving Col from this venture joy a willing Sup bour with virtual bility for them. In the government money by levying for every maid (in is $300).
For the famili the majority surv ity might even bet These are only ine though. The long consequences for not so bright.
THE FOR
Even thought cations are drast broken up by mig tention has beeng sequences. Child in the care of eith female relative, or more often than 1 tionally and phys situation. This is e their declining g attendance at Sch drop in health car of the children (F
According to March 1987, 400 der five years had Middle East (U Healthcare profe ing first hand thi gration on childr ing for more Gc institutional sup) for and monitor til this group.
Found amon migrant mothers Severe malnutriti problem being th

he migration of 2 the country 2 growing unlem.
intries benefit as they can enly of cheap lay no responsisome countries S also obtain each employer Singapore this
es left behind, ive, the minorter themselves. Conomic terms term emotional the family are
GOTTEN LOT
he social impliic for families ration, little ativen to the Conren are placed er the father, a neighbours and not suffer emoically from the vident through rades and low ool, and in the e and nutrition ernando 1989).
an estimate in DO children unmothers in the NICEF 1987). isionals are seeeffects of mian and are callvernment and port to provide he well being of
st children of is moderate to on with a major 2 Sudden termi
nation of breast feeding. The weight deficiencies and other complications resulting from this are dangerous as they could lead to long term ill effects, stunting growth and mental capacity (Fernando 1989). As Dr Priyani Soysa explains, "Banning is of no use but advice by medically proficient people is very necessary to mothers so that they themselves can see the long term effects on their children when they are absent. This cannot be measured in terms of money."
Not only are young children at risk, but adolescent girls and boys are put under significant pressure as a result of family separation. It's not unusual for girl children to assume the mother role and in doing so be denied the opportunity to education for their future development. There are also numerous cases of sexual exploitation and incest occurring in the absence of the mother.
There is also an incredible need for post migration counselling not only for women who have had negative experiences, but also for their family members who have been effected by the ordeal.
CALL FOR ACTION
The urgency of the migrant woman worker's problem came to the forefront on an international level in 1992 with the Asian Network of Women in International Migration Regional Policy Dialogue. As a result, a National Advisory Committee was established and reformed under the new Government. One question being debated now is one of compulsary age limits for women migrating. This is of concern to the committee after learning of instances where girls as young as 14 years have been sent abroad posing as older women. Again

Page 19
showing the vulnerabilities of this group.
To reduce the exploitation of these women as a commodity to be traded in between countries and employers, there needs to be strict Bilateral Labour Agreements which will provide security of rights and protection of wages for the worker. These agreements should also ensure the registration of all migrants for accountability.
Because most host Countries do not recognise the plight of the migrant housemaid a problem, there are no legal controls or monitoring system to protect the women. Therefore, it is essential that a women officer be posted at
each Sri Lar in countri Lankan na migrant wo turn to if he rights are v
Ideally experience WOIIaith a C avoided if c in her home ing her in : leave, there incentive fo ludicrous th holds the fall esteem, the done by the break up.
The Stre
Date
19 June 1995
26 June 1995
29 June 1995
29 June 1995
29 June 1995
10 July 1995
Name of paper Report
Daily News
The Island
Daily News
Daily News
Daily News
The Island
20 September '95. The Island
FILIPINA MAID "A 22 year old Fi allegedly caused
LANKAN MAID "Kuwait police ha the death of their
THREE LANKA "The Foreign Mir were reported kill
HOUSEMAIDS SU "A Sri Lankan ho fearing that she ha after ten days was
LAWYER OF FI "The lawyer of a killing her emplo he was confident
HOUSEMAIDS "A housemaid wh Negoda Kalutara
Kalutara South PC
KUWAT JAILS W.

kan Foreign Mission es employing Sri ionals so that each ker has an outlet to human and working olated..
nough, the negative or both the mirating her family could be ynditions were better land. Instead of forcheer desperation to should be more of an her to stay. It seems at while this culture mily unitin such high re is nothing being State to prevent its
gths, will and deter
mination of migrant women is evident through the sacrifices they make and risk they take by leaving their own safety nest in order to realise their dreams. However, it seems that they have no chance to develop their self confidence for the improvement of their own situation as well as to contribute to the development of their own country. The coordination between the State, private enterprise and NGOs could provide these women with the possibility to enterself employment or other ventures in order to utilise their stregths and not to exploit their weaknesses.
(See- "Tears from Kuwait" under news)
RANDOMMEDIA REPORTS
DIES IN KUWAITH OSPITAL lipina maid has died in a Kuwait hospital due to injuries
by her employer."
KILLED IN KUWAIT
lve arrested an Arab man and his wife for questioning about
Asian maid."
N HOUSEMAIDS REPORTED KILLED istry yesterday disclosed that three Sri Lankan housemaids edin Kuwait and Saudi Arabia during the past week."
(ICIDE ATTEMPT IN ABU DHABI BRINGS HER HOME TO DIE
usemaid in Abu Dhabi in a suicide attempt swallowed a detergent
d struck her employer dead. She was immediately hospitalised and
bought to Sri Lanka. She died two weeks later."
LIPINA MAD HOPEFUL ABOUT APPEAL foung Filipina maid sentenced to seven years in prison for er, who the court had concluded had raped her, said on Tuesday Df winning an appeal against the verdict."
JFFERS BURNINJURIES IN OMAN O had returned to Sri Lanka from Oman was admitted to the Base Hospital with serious injuries on her fingers. Shehad told lice that her fingers were pounded by the land lady of the house."
OMAN FOR BEATING LANKAN HOUSEMAD TO DEATH
January 1996 K Voice of Women K. T.

Page 20
SITHY FA
Death thema
Kathy Evans
IT was shortly after dawn prayers that theyoung woman was led out weeping from her cell to the prison courtyard. Minutes later, the seven-man firing squadshot Sithy Farook to death. The execution took place days before her 20th birthday.
Sithy Farook was one of an estimated 75,000 Sri Lankan maids working in the United Arab Emirates. Her execution last month was the final instalment in a journey that led her, at 17, from Colombo to seek a living in the rich oil states of the Gulf. She left behind a widowed mother and five sisters: she was to be their only source of income.
Her life was typical of that of thousands of other maids. She found herself working 18 hours a day for a policeman's family in a remote northern emirate of Ras al Khaimah. She never had holidays or even left the house.
One day, when her employers were out, their fouryear-old daughter began acting up. At the end of her tether, Farook took a penknife and stabbed the little girl to death.
Farook was one of the "lost people" in the Gulf, the 1.2 million domestic servants who lead hidden lives within the homes of Arab families. You can occasionally spot them at airports, or in
18 0 Voice of Women 0 January 1996
the segregated pub through the black limousines, but the to their lives comes pages of local papel miss, in a few bri their frequent si deportations.
For these wome mestic drudgery in represents an oppor
 

R O) O) K
lic parks, or windows of only real clue in the news s, which disef sentences, uicides and
n, a life of dothe oil states tunity to raise
the standard of living of their families back home. Their salaries, though low by Gulf standards, are up to five times what they could make at home.
They earn every penny.
Testimony collected by the Anti-Slavery Society shows that many start their days at 4.30 a.m. and work until past midnight; nearly half look after houses of between nine and 30 rooms.
Even more alarming is that a number - no one knows how many -regularly suffer physical and sexual abuse. The latest figures collected by the International Labour Organisation show only 69 cases of physical abuse reCorded in Kuwait, 12 in the Emirates and only one in Saudi Arabia. However, these figures may indicate not so much low rates of abuse as maids' fear of reporting it. Their employers, after all, hold their passports and could retaliate with an accusation of theft that would result in imprisonment and deportation.
Employers are rarely prosecuted; most Gulf governments shrug offstories of abuse of maids as anti-Arab propaganda. An official admits that the ILO has done little to improve the situation: "They are a small constituency with no political clout". 9
(Courtesy Guardian Weekly), The Island 1 June 1995.

Page 21
SITHY Farook was a Sri Lankan housemaid working in the U.A.E., who was executed for the murder of her charge.
Along with other organisations, Voice of Women demanded from
the rights of able woman
This inci tem where th
Comes marg
bigger play
the authorities an explanation as to game of poli how this situation could have come
- The case to such a violent conclusion, and emphasisest what role the State took to protect р
gency of adv
WE have come to know from the newspape worker in the U.A.E. has been executed. Different have raised serious doubts as to whether justice ha
Uorker Concerned in this incident.
The accused Farook Sithy Unisa, accordin, executed by a firing Squad for the alleged murder ( We understand Sithy entered the services of this hic 18 years old and had worked for a period of two children which increased to 15 later on.
We gather that during the months Sithy was from the Sri Lankan Embassy visited her on more reports also indicate that the Foreign Ministry situation by the parents of Sithy before the execu.
This raises many questions. 1. What action did the Embassy official take to lo 2. Why was the Sri Lankan public not kept infor 3. Was Sithy given a fair trial?
4. As the reports of the circumstances that led to t conflicting, could the coroner's report be mad
5. In situations such as these what is the responsi
know that the Philippines, India and other have taken positive stands in similar situation
This tragic incident reveals the utter disregara the State towards our foreign workers who under for us the much wanted foreign exchange. Wome other concerned bodies have from time to time stro this apathy towards our workers. We once again Ca of the terms and conditions of work of Sri La especially the poorer ones who form the majority. essential that in cases such as these that the public a poor family is not isolated and rendered helples formidable challenge.
 

his young and vulner
lent highlights a syse domestic worker beinalized amongst the rs in a multinational tics and economics.
of Sithy Farook also he importance and urocacy groups to unite
and act to prevent the mistreatment of migrant workers which lead, in Sithy's case, to an irreversible and tragic end.
The following are correspondence and reports between Concerned organisations (including Voice of Women) and the relevant government authorities that were involved in this case.
etter from NGOs
rs, that a Sri Lankan ersions of the incident S been meted out to the
g to the reports uvas of a four year old child. busehold vhen Shevas years looking after 11
imprisoned, an official 'han one occasion. The
was informed of the fion.
ok after her interests?
med?
e death of the child are epublic?
bility of the state? We Developing Countries
S.
and apathy shown by rying conditions earn 's Organisations and gly protested against ll for close monitoring akan workers abroad Finally it is absolutely skept informed so that S in the face of such a
Letter from the ministry of foreign affairs
Madam,
Execution of Sri Lankan Housemaid Ms. Sithy Uneesa Farook in the
U.A.E.
I have been directed by the Hon. Lakshman Kadir gamar, Minister of Foreign Affairs, to thank you for your letter dated 26.04,95 expressing concern over the execution in the United Arab Emirates of Ms. Sithy Uneesa Farook, a Sri Lankan housemaid.
I forward herewith for your information a report which I have sent to Ms. I.M. Abeysekera, Executive Director of the Sri Lanka National Committee on Women, who has raised a number of similar issues concerning this case, and which, I trust, answers your queries too.
Yours Faithfully, R.C.A. Vandergert Secretary Ministry of Foreign Affairs
January 1996 0 Voice of Women 0 19

Page 22
Execution of S Ms. Sithy Unees
THIS refers to your letter of even number dated 24.595 concerning the above. This Ministry has carefully examined all aspects of the issue raised in your letter and a comprehensive statement on the action taken in this regard by our Mission in the UAE and this Ministry is given below.
This matter was first brought to the attention of the officers of the Consular Division of this Ministry by Ms. Sithy Fathuma Nilam (mother of the accused) on 25.10.94 by way of a complaintin which she had stated that she had received information that her daughter, who had been employed as a housemaid in the Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah, one of the more remote Emirates of the UAE, had been taken intopolice custody for "some inquiry". In response to this complaint, this Ministry immediately called for a report from our Mission in Abu Dhabi requesting them to contact the relevant authorities as regard the Veracity of the complaint as well as the present position pertaining to the case in question.
The Ras Al Khaimah Police Directorate had informed our Mission on 19.11.94 over the phone that she had been arrested on suspicion of murdering one of her employer's children, a four year old girl, and that a case had been instituted in court against her.
Upon receiving this information a representative of our Mission in Abu Dhabi attended Ras Al Khaimah Shariah Court on 30.11.94, accompanied by the Embassy's interpreter (who is a Sri Lankan Muslim) to look after the interests of the Sri Lankan housemaid.
At the trial, before a panel of five judges, the accused had confessed to the murder. A State Advocate appeared on behalf of the accused.
After hearing evidence, Ms Farook had been convicted of premeditated murder and sentenced to death. An appeal on her behalf was immediately lodged by the defence lawyer against the said conviction.
An appeal for clemency to the parents of the dead child made by the mother of the accused was transmitted by the Embassy. The Embassy also transmitted a letter addressed to the President of the UAE from the mother of the housemaid to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the UAE. Furthermore, on instructions from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Embassy too made an appeal for clemency on behalf of the Government of Sri Lanka to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the UAE. The Charge d'affairs of Sri Lanka personally met the Actg. Under Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in this regard. This was followed up with a formal diplomatic note appealing for clemency.
20 0 Voice of Women 0 January 1996
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COI she
req. the is in bet
deli the dea

ri Lanka housemaid a Farook in the UAE
all times the family of the accused was kept inned of developments pertaining to this case.
After the appeal was lodged, the First Secretary pour) ofour Mission in Abu Dhabi metthe accused ail who again admitted to the killing of the child. ording to the report of the First Secretary (Labour) 2.95: "Without any hesitation or fear, she admitted she committed this offence. Her behaviour was te normal. However, she could not recollect in ail, what actually happened at the time of committhe offence. She remembers the childbiting her land she, having lost her temper, (in return) staba her with a pen knife cum nail cutter, which was er hand at that moment". She had further stated when she found that the child was dead, she got rightened that she wrapped the dead body in a rag kept it in the adjoining garden, before her master urned home after work.
The report of the First Secretary further states that Superintendent of the Jail had stated that she was irred for medical examination to check her mental dition but that the medical report had shown that was normal. When the Embassy pursued her uest to intervene together transferred to Sri Lanka, Superintendent of the jail had explained that there o provision in the Law or any mutual Agreement ween the two countries to effect such transfer.
The Court of Appeal had found that the crime of iberate murder by the accused had been proved in Court of first instance and had re-confirmed the th sentence.
The Director of Prosecutions of the Shariah Court | explained to the First Secretary (Labour) of the bassy that, according to the Shariah Law under ich the case was heard since both parties were slims, the Next-of-Kin has the right to ask "blood blood" in a case of murder and it is the next-of-Kin | no other person who pardons the accused. Even Ruler cannot change a verdict of a Court of Law hout the Consent Of the Next-of-Kin.
The Report sent by the Embassy further states:
"In this particular case, H.H. Sheik Rashid bin maid Al Qasimi (son of the Ruler of Ras Al aiman), who is the Head of Courts, having considd the plea of the housemaid's mother and houseid's age, requested the father of the dead child to sent to a lesser punishment but the father of the teased child had totally refused it. He had asked n"Sir, how can I pardon a person who has brutally ed my innocent daughter, who was only 4 years of

Page 23
age .
The father of the deceased also had refused the ple of H.E. Sheikh Abdul Wahab Al Mashashain, Chie Priest of the area, who had asked him to pardon th accused. The First Secretary's report further state that the father of the deceased child had been comin to court practically everyday to get the executio order carried out expeditiously. When the prosecut ing officers had requested him to re-consider this cas and change his attitude, he had told them in anger," you can't execute the order, I will execute it".
The measures taken by the Sri Lanka Embassy i the UAE was also brought to the attention of the Hor Minister of Labour and Vocational Training who ha led a delegation to the UAE from 2 - 4 April 1995. Th delegation was satisfied with the steps taken by th Embassy to protect the interests of the accused.
In view of the above, it must beenphasised categor cally that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, through th Embassy in the UAE, had taken all possible measure within the framework of the legal system prevailingi the UAE, to protect the interests of the accused. How ever, according to the prevailing law in the UAE, sinc the life of the accused had been in the hands of the fathe of the deceased, who refused to pardon her, the execu tion of the death sentence had been inevitable.
With regard to the query raised by you concernin a mechanism to deal with such matters, I wish t inform you that the Foreign Ministry has issued circular letter to all our missions in the Middle Eas countries to constantly keep in touch with the relevar authorities and report back to the Ministry of any S Lanka national who has been taken into police cut tody or jailed.
In addition, it may also be noted that with th recent enactment of the Transfer of Offenders. A No.5 of 1995 providing for transfer of convicted o fenders to and from Sri Lanka, this Ministry alon with Ministry of Justice & Constitutional Affairs pursuing, as a matter of priority, the conclusion ( bilateral agreements for such transfers as required b the Act, with due priority being given to those cour tries where there are large number of Sri Lanka nationals who have been imprisoned.
With regard to the question raised by you concer ing migrant women, the question of Sri Lanka accec ing to the Convention of Migrant Workers is unde active consideration. The views of a number of Mir istries and Departments including the Ministry C Labour have been obtained and those of some other are awaited.
I trust that the above addresses fully the issues raise in your letter under reference and that you are satisfie that all possible measures by way of providing assis ance to the housemaid concerned had been taken by th Ministry through its Mission in the UAE. 0

S I THY FAR O (O) K
(DUT (BOmments
THE Ministry of Foreign Affairs must be congratulated for their enactment of the Transfer of Offenders Act No. 5 of 1995 which provides for the transfer of convicted offenders to and from Sri Lanka. Unfortunately though, for Sithy Uneesa Farook this enactment comes too late to save her from execution in a foreign land.
While we can only wonder about Sithy's fate if she was tried in her own cultural environment instead of under a strict Muslim State (even though Sithy was Muslim, the vengeful and harsh punishment of blood for blood is not considered in Sri Lanka), it is not our position here to question foreign laws (no matter how ideologically opposed we are to them).
However, we can and must question the competence of the Sri Lankan Mission in the Emirates whose task was to work in Sithy's best interest. The report given by the First Secretary (Labour) in Abu Dhabilis concerning as it is full of contradictions and judgements that show their partisan against Sithy.
For example, the First Secretary states how Sithy admitted to committing the crime "without any hesitation or fear...Her behaviour was quite normal". Are we to believe that the First Secretary could determine Sithy's feelings and speak so confidently about her emotional state of mind on her behalf? Is this person qualified to assess and report on Sithy's mental condition?
Also, if Sithy's behaviour was, according to the First Secretary, "normal", then why in the next sentence does this person statehow Sithy could not remember exactly what had happened? To even the untrained observer this indicates Sithy must have suffered a certain degree of trauma and confu
January 1996 0 Voice of Women 0 21

Page 24
Sion which is far from "normal".
If it is the case that this incident was pre-meditated, then the First Secretary's report leaves us wondering what exactly premeditation means. From Sithy's evidence, the stabbing does not look pre-planned at all. The report describes that in return for the childbiting her, Sithy stabbed her with an instrument she was presumably already using. But if this act was a pre-meditated and calculated decision by Sithy it would not be the result of Such a spontaneous chain of events. Also, if her intention was to kill the child, it does not follow that Sithy was so frightened when she realised the child was dead.
If this was a pre-meditated murder, the report gives no indication that any attempt was made by the Sri Lankan Mission to help the courts understand what drove Sithy to be so brutal. Therefore, they were silent when given the opportunity to highlight the often oppressed conditions of women in Sithy's situation.
Justas thecourts passedjudgement that Sithy was guilty of premeditated murder, it seems that the representatives of the Sri Lankan Mission in Abu Dhabi are guilty of drawing pre-conceived conclusions about Sithy's guilt. Could they have adequately and convincingly defended their national when their report shows such judgement against her?
One must also question why this matter was not brought to the publics attention earlier so that Sithy could have at least had the support and commitment of advocacy groups back home in her favour.
While nothing will change the fate of Sithy and the dead child, her case can be used to ensure no other national is forced to defend themselves in the complete isolation Sithy was faced with. 0
220 Voice of Women 0 January 1996
Danielle
THE regularity ness of gender-relat growing at an al While violence agai by no means a new the silence that has issue from public ac breaking down.
'Violence agains stated in the Report Committee of the D the Elimination Against Women, is gender based viol sults in, or is likely physical, Sexual orp harm or suffering t cluding threats of Sl cion or arbitrary d liberty, whether occi lic or in private life.
Every attack ona is a violation of th matter what degre injury is caused. Al are committed so vidual or group car solidify their power through use of m physical intimidati
Rape then can be one of the most vis signs of the poweri tween men and wO) seen by the physica tics involved, but all tifications for the r abusers and at time

and serioused Violence is arming rate. inst Women is phenomenon, protected this tion is at last
it women', as of the Third eclaration on of Violence s "any act of ence that reto result in, psychological O Women, inich acts, COereprivation of urring inpub
ny individual eir rights no e of physical violent acts that an indiidentify and Overanother antal and/or Dn and force.
! described as ually evident mbalance bemen, not only characterisso by the jusape given by Sby the com
munity.
Rape is a crime not specific to one country, culture, race or class of people. It can affect every type of person in any situation. A rapist Cannot beidentified by his level of education, income or degree of social mobility, just as a rape victim cannot be classified in a typical mould.
While a rapist does not exist exclusively in one particular environment, the Socialsetting does have an influence on his behaviour. For it is within this setting that Social norms function with the rapist accepting and internalising what rightshebelieves these norms permit, and the degree of power he holds because of them.
The act of rape is the final projection of the rapists fantasies on to a victim who serves as the object through which he can exert his "rights". These fantasies are dillusions that stem from many factors including: his ideas about sexuality, sex role socialisation, and, the amount of control he is capable of exerting over his victim.
Significant in understanding the rapists behaviour is looking at his perception of his own sexuality. For many people (and I'd imagine all abusers) the concept of sexuality does not extend past the first three letters - SEX. Sexuality, though, encompasses the physical as well as emotional aspects an individual experiences

Page 25
once they've acknowledged
themselves as sexual beings. Each
person's concept of sexuality interprets their attitudes, ideas and images about sexual and gender issues.
Sexuality is a natural and important part of a person's make up. As such, everyone should be able to explore and understand their own sexuality without the constraints inflicted by a society who is quick to enforce ready made descriptions of sex and gender roles. Because of the taboolike nature surrounding sex and sexuality, ignorance leads to misconceptions which creates an environment for rape to occur, and more dangerously, for rape to be justified.
Myths about men, womenand sex that perpetuate in a patriarchal Society highlight an image of physical strength and energy associated with masculinity, and, the self control and pasSiveness associated with femininity. By internalising these images, some men are convinced that "nature" allows them to exercise their right to satisfy their sexual urges. Not only does this belief excuse the rapist's behaviour, it also objectifies the woman as an inStrument that Canbe used at the mans disposal when his hormones are 'out of control'. The act of rape is the final reality of this fantasy - it is the realisation of his power over his victim.
By identifying male power and control as the root cause of rape, the needed solutions require an improvement in the status of women. Unfortunately, the dichotomy of women as either the virtuous, wholesome nurturer of the community, oras the alluring temptress causing the downfall of man, enables a Sometimes un
sympathetic victim and often it is th prove herinn character and lysed. Such amount of a the victim c almostlikesh involved in t
The result for a crimey and being C community major reason never report lies also disco
making a rap for fear of Sc especially if it as it will Surel of marriage munity tha VAVOIMhen,
The proce ing a complai sentation an not only high also take up be very costi deterrents fo the rape. On note, howeve duce the am cal trauma or made with Women's De stations. This
 

public to judge the lot the rapist. Too victim who has to ocenceafterherpast, actions are all anaan overwhelming ttention placed on uld make it seem e was the only party he whole incident.
of being put on trial bu never committed stracised from the because of it, is a why a lot of women the incident. Famiurage women from
stations around the island, and begun in 1991 after recommendations from the Women's Bu
real.
Educating law enforcers and medical professionals to be sensitive to gender issues including violence is also necessary to reduce the isolation felt by the victim after the rape. Educating the community isa muchharder task.
It is also vital that responsibility for these hideous crimes be shifted away from the victim and onto the rapist. To start with, suspended sentences must be abolished and a minimumsentence should instead be
introduced. It is pointless to just slap the rapist on the hand, tell him he has beenbad, and then release him back into the same environment where he Committed the crime. What deterrent is there for him? While attention is given to the victims, by telling them to change their lifestyles so that they are not seen as provocative, or making them leave
epublic knowledge ocial repercussions, he woman is single y reduce her chance proposals in a com
rejects 'tainted
dure involvedin filnt, obtaining reprei going to court is ly traumatic, it can o six years and can y, which are other r women to report
a more optimistic r, an attempt to repunt of psychologithe victim has been he installation of kSat several police Service functions in
their surroundings in fear of future attacks, there is no attempt to change the behaviour of the abuser to prevent attacks from happening.
Counselling plays an integral role not only in the recovery of the victim, but also in the reformation of the rapists. Unfortunately though, the latter is not even seen as a priority. By suspending sentences, there is no way of everinsuring that therapist has contact with any social worker or counselling service. However, with any reformation, there has to be a willingness by the perpetrator to accept responsibility, then commit to change. Meanwhile, the regularity and seriousness of gender-related violence grows at an alarming rate. 0
January 1996 0 Voice of Women 0 23

Page 26
Eva Ranaweera
MY name is Seela. Just plain Seela. How often I have compared my name with names like Chaturani, Ауoma, Danulakshmi, Parameshwary. What beautiful sounds these names make, like water running over silver keys.
When I meet casual people I tell them I am Chaturani. Sometimes, I go further, and tell them I am Vasanthi Chaturani. I look in the small mirror my father used for shaving his face and stare sadly at my sallow skin and dull eyes. I used to rub lemon peel on my face and put a piece of cucumber on my eyelids hoping for a bright look. That was the advice my friends gave. I have read this in women's papers too.
I lived with my father in the one roomed hut we occupied when mother was here with us. I am twelve years old and go to School.
We were looking forward to building a nice red-tiled house like Asilin Nanda's with two rooms, one for my father and mother and one for me, all to myself. I was looking forward to that dream coming true. I think mother also had such a dream. Father, always being a dreamer, did not need additional dreams to burden him. My mother went abroad to save enough money to build our dream house.
She wished me to study hard so I could get a job better than what she had. I thought then I need not leave my family as mother had to, and go to a foreign country as a domestic. I studied very hard and did my home work and house work too. My hand
240 Voice of Women 0 |anuary 1996
writing improved ve my mother wrote b: ful things about my h and my letters. I felt. me. I told her how were waiting for h start building ourh
At first I felt a li she had to send us earnings for us to 1 meant her savings w than what could be. tience I urged my fa all the money moth thought we could a saved to her pile of s. she returned. Whata would be to her. Tha thought then.
Father did not sav He used all the mc sent us, on his liqu home at night stagg and unaware of any him. He beat me for tasty food. Some nig sleep without my di
Father began to plod me with his f found I had fallen a his return. Was it b| not a pretty daugh because I could no curries?
In my letters I di mother how unhap thought that woul unhappy too and sh think of coming bac out earning and sa for our red tilled hou to her about our d my room with a be dow and her large mine in our red tillet walls plastered a mented just like Asi told her tobring som seeds from Saudi A we could have r blooming in our gari
 

ح
rymuchand ack wonderhand writing she was near
eagerly we er return tO
OLSe.
title sad that Some of her ive on. That yould be less In my impaather to save er Sent uS. I did what we avings when surprise that at was what I
rethe money. oney mother or. He came ering drunk hingaround not cooking hts I went to inner.
kick me and Dot vhen he Isleep before ecause I was ter or Was it it cook tasty
d not tell my opy I was. I d make her 2 would even khome withving money se. So I Wrote ream house, d and a win
rOOn next to d house with nd fl'OOr cein Nanda's. I enew flower rabia, so that are flowers den. It Would
not cost her anything if the seeds were from her garden.
We planned fora pomegranate garden the like of which mother described. She talked of tambili colored oranges, which were Sweeter than the green coloured ones that grew here. We both wished for grapevines but mother said since it already grew here it vas not profitable and, it was difficult to bring sprigs of plants, but she could easily bring seeds.
I did not refer to father who by now was becoming a dreaded demon. I wonder whether she felt how lonely I was. I feared the nights when father came home drunk. As my zest for life reduced my frocks became dirty and uncared for. I was taking little care of myself. But I waited for mother's letters even at this juncture. I had hopes of starting my life in a beautiful, clean house. I thought she would buy me a table to write on and of course a bed to sleep in. Beautiful dreams can adorn a lonely life. Nobody can take away my dreams but they become difficult to come by when nights are lonely and bashings are expected.
I dared not cry out because that made fathermore angry. Also that would not be lady like. I know only the girls in the poor slums had such behaviour. I thought it best to avoid father when hereturned latein the night smelling of liquor.
Now I wish I had discussed my problem with my mother, or gone away to grand mother's house or confided in my friend Neela. I did not expect this, not in my wildest dreams. Although I had no previous knowledge of what happened to me, I began to feel uneasy every time father came home drunk and turned

Page 27
abusive. On such days the next morning he would get up sheepish and shy, waiting timidly for his tea. When he had gathered enough courage he would stroke my head lovingly as he used to do in the happy days when mother was with us. He used to tease me calling melittle mother, punchi amma.
Meanwhile grand mother thought I was growing up too fast and needed a mother's protection. Fatherlaughedatherand said to her he was father and mother all in one.
I did not tell her that father drank in the night and that I dreaded his fits of bashing, which became more frequent in time.
Grandmother sold vegetables in the village. She went out with the basket on her head calling Keera, Keera', in a sing song tone. When I was very small before I went to school and before mother went abroad to make Our dream house come true, I accompanied grand mother on her Keera selling trips. Father did not approve of this. He said I would become a
vagabond like Nanda, who was
out the whole night. Mother thought I would get dark skinned going in the Sun.
Anyway when I went to school all that stopped and I started a new life with father and mother at home and me going to school with Asilin Nanda's daughter, Soma. It was indeed a happy time. Some days father came with me and Soma if his carpentry work for the day was on our way. He would buy us two toffees, one each and a cigar for himself. We walked happily to school chatting all the way and father went to his work place.
One day he fell off a tree he was cutting and injured himself seriously. Our hut was like a funeral place that day. Mother wailed and grand mother came
from her plac weeping. Fat hospital and h long time; I cc of the days. T miserable da whether fath Saved.
We had no began to weal did not bring am tracing my darker, this p. beginning of
Finally w home with all his right arm SO mother CO gle to eke out forced to loo way of keepin She decided to try to work at Saudi Arabia angry but lat had no choic Would come came a big gi trouble gettin mother to ob our land is neighbour Jin but mother S deem it verys hope and that
Three C Amawake, th All was dark weird noises C plantain leave I was shiverin lamp had blo When mother Amawake nig mat for safety Devils disturb because they and look for r them, so the again.
When I was tending moth the other side,
gerin, deaddr ing for the la

to add to the loud her was taken to estayed there for a uld not keep track ney were long and lys not knowing er's life Could be
money and mother recadjans to sell. It us much money. I life to see which is resent plight or the our misery.
hen father Came his wounds healed remained useless. ntinued her strugour living. She was k out for another gour house going. go out of the couns a domestic aid in Father was very er he realized We 2. Mother said she home before I berl. We had a lot of g the agents fee for tain her job. Now mortgaged to our nadasa Mahattaya aid she would reoon. We had lots of made life exciting.
lays ago was e moonless night. ... The wind made oming through the sand tearing them. gin fear. Our bottle An out without oil. was here, on dark hts, I crept to her and peace of mind. you at Amawake, come in the dark ice girls to disturb will not be nice
shivering and preer was near by on I heard father stagunk. He was shoutump, shouting for
dinner and I was too frightened to answer him. I though the would startbeating me for being what I am, for not being mother, for not cooking tasty curries. I was hungry myself but more frightened of father than other days. I heard father trying to balance himself, knocking on the wall in the dark and then on the table. He was groping. Suddenly he stepped on me, stooped down and grabbed me. I was lying on my mat.
He was very cruel and very dirty. I hated him for what he did to me. In my pain I fainted, maybe more than once. When I came to my senses I found myself wet and sticky and in pain. I did not groan because I did not know where he was.
In the morning I saw I had been bleeding. He was fast asleep in his buru eda (camp cot) snoring loudly. I got to the well and washed myself clean. Everything was burning. The cool water did not stop that but made it worse. I was hot, Sore and lifeless.
That was three days ago when I lost my dream and my future. Since then nightly he tore me apart. I had not visited my grand mother for a few days so she came to see how I was.
She found me sick and with high fever. We went to the hospital and from there to the police station. I am weary of this. I think he is hiding from the police. I had to tell them what he did to me. They ask So many questions. Indecent ones. It was noteasy. Grandmother took me to her house.
We have had two more police visits after that.
My future is staring atmelike a depthless void-staring at me.
Will my mother come back? What will she say?
I will write to her and tell her we don't need a red tiled house any more. 0.
January 1996 0 Voice of Women 0 25

Page 28
三 Wh
CENTRE For Women's Research (CENWOR) held a two day "Post Nairobi Workshop" in August to discuss and analyse the development of the status of women in Sri Lanka during the past decade, and to address issues pertinent to women's empowerment for the future.
Representatives from the public and NGO sector participated in the workshop with sessions including:
- The Impact of Law on Women's Rights
(Savitri Goonesekera) - Gender based Violence (Kamalini Wijayatilake) - Women in Politics (Wimala de Silva) - Mobilisation for Community Action by Women
(Kamala Peiris) - Women and Health (Priyani Soysa) - Women and Media (Kumidini Samuel) - Women, Education and Training (Swarna Jayaweera) - Women, Science and Technology
(Nimal Amarasuryia) - Women in the Economy (Swarna Jayaweera) - Women Overseas Domestic Workers (Malsiri Dias) - Women and the Environment (Kamini Vitharana) - Trends and Issues (Kumanri Jayawardena)
Throughout discussions it was clear that for any change to occur there has to be a common voice amongst advocates who raise the issues, as well as a commitment from the State and law enforcing institutes that they will support such change. Gender sensitisation at all levels, from grass roots to the national level, needs to exist for women to enjoy total and equal participation in the development of this country as well as obtaining the benefits such development offers. However, because existing social, legal, political, educational and economic systems do not support an egalitarian community, women don't challenge the oppression they suffer for fear of being further victimised. In isolation, therefore, they suppress their strength as an effective group of change agents.
The past decade has seen an increased focus on gender issues with women's roles changing due to factors such as the openeconomy and the civil conflict.
The role of women in NGOs has done much to
26 0 Voice of Women 0 January 1996
 

Post Nairobi. at's BEn aGGIVE"
reate awareness and understanding. Their influence politically can be seen by their successful campaigns in 988 with the call for elections and in 1993 with the hild rape case. The most significant event to occur in he political field for women is the Amendment to the Penal Code.
The media has done much to highlight issues such is violence against women and the plight of the migrant worker. With the increase in alternative media ocusing on women, gender issues have been brought o the public agenda. However, the media still have a
while to go in ceasing the stereotypical portrayal of
women and also in rectifying the sensational and rivial style of reporting gender issues.
While women have been increasingly involved in he economic development of this country in the past lecade, unfortunately, their exploitation as a human esource has also increased.
The mobilisation of women for community action has improved since 1985. This can only be successful hrough the participation of women as autonomous individuals who combine to analyse their problems, make decisions, implement them and benefit from hem.
While the grouping of women together is vital, it is lso an absolute necessity for men to beinvolved in the nobilisation for action. Without their acknowledgement, support and contribution in implementing acion, traditional structures will prevent any change ccurring. The fact that from a cross section of people nvited to the workshop only two men were present hows the difficulty in obtaining effective support rom them. These "women's" issues are not exclusive o women only, but effect all of society and how it unctions.
So, even while the workshop was an excellent orum for women from every field to come together to hare their expertise and experiences, and to express heir concerns, it seemed to be a case of preaching to he converted. Let's hope that the enthusiasm, ideas nd recommendations for equality and personalderelopment will filter through to the rest. 0

Page 29
Dصے
صے
A workshop on Economic Justice for Women by the World Council of Churches was held from 1 - 6th May in Kandy with 32 women participants from Sri Lanka, India, Nepal, Bangladesh and Pakistan, representing women's groups, NGOs and church bodies.
Patriarchy and its institutionalisation by governments and religions was identified as a root cause of the unequal power relations between men and women. It was agreed that gender analysis is imperative in order to formulate and implement programs and actions that tackle issues such as: the feminisation of poverty; violence; the abuse of women's basic human rights, Such as limited to no access to education, shelter, health as well as physical and psychological abuse.
Participants rejected the dominant development model as being gender neu - tral and disempowering as it assumes and imposes the parameters of development without taking into account the local needs and reSources available for a sustainable Society. In recognising their different cultural, political, economic and social backgrounds that result in a vast diversity of needs, the women also rejected the notion of a model
Justice |
that presumes to homog. enise them.
The following were iden tified as issues impacting ir one form or another on all
VAVO CIA:
At the global level- The unequal allocation of re. Sources between North anC South; the abuse of humar rights as an instrument O control by the richer indus trialised nations wanting to impose their interests on the poor nations; the discrimi nation and abuse of immi grants to do work that i considered "high risk" or i poorly paid; and, the ho mogenisation of the world into the 'global village which stifles diversity of ex periences and does not ac knowledge different cul tures, traditions, language and contexts.
At the regional level Minimal information an communication among an between nations, erosion o the diverse, indigenous sys tems of agriculture by th use of unsustainable tech nology; the increase of se: trafficking across and withi borders, where prostitutio is seen as the only option fo survival for many poo women; and, child labou for generating income fo entire families and their Vul nerability to sex tourism in the light of the AIDS crisis
At the National level Government policies tha are not gender sensitive an hence do not acknowledg women's contributions; un equal allocation of resource and access to policy mak ing structures by all citi

or Women
zens; feminisation of poverty due to development policies that are not peoplecentred and Which come from outside their reality and arent sustainable; unstable political situations due to social and economic inequalities; civil strife; dislocation of people from their indigenous habitats to make way for "development" projects which disrupt livelihoods, erode cultures and destroy communities.
In response to these issues, the participants formed Solidarity Amongst Asian Women (SAW), a network functioning as a focal point for the acquisition and dissemination of information across and within the region. Priorities of action by the group include:
a) Identify, support and stregnthen existing networks and movements of women working on issues of economic justice so as to have strong pre SS ure groups to monitor and influence national and international policies and their
impact on women.
b) The need for conscientisation on the status of women through publications, public events, media, human rights campaigns including women's health, education, access to resources and participation in decision making processes.
c) To sensitise people against militerisation and expose its links to the dominant economic paradigm.
d) to encourage small, alternative models of development that take into account available resources and local needs.
e) to work in collaboration with all women, irrespective of nationally, to cancel national debts.
: The cross section ofparticipants contributed to the success of the workshop, enriching dialogue and helping to facilitate an understanding of the complexities and diversities of each person's reality - "It was in this diversity of cultures, languages, ideologies, experiences and religions that we drew strength and unity as women." 0.
SOO.
OUR Australian friend, Danielle Atkins from the Overseas Services Bureau, came to us late in '94 and worked with the Voice of Women till the end of the year '95. She is due to leave us very
We would like to record our deep appreciation of her editorial work and her ability to create a friendly atmosphere all round at work and outside. Her contribution to the work of the organization was carried out with a sense of commitment. We hope she is able to carry back similar impressions of our work place and our Country. 0
Danielle
January 1996 0 Voice of Women 0 27

Page 30
圭
Sy
Vaniyang Kalu Vaniyang Vishwakala Sarvodaya, was la
This story is semiautobiogi Art Director of Voice of Wom
Sybil has received many av ing:
1965 Women's Council of Er 1982 Noma Concours Pictur 1986 Best Foreign Book awal 1987 Most Popular Book in J
the Tokyo Library Ass 1989 Biennale of Illustrations 1995 Japan Cultural Ministry 1995 Education Ministry aw 1995 French Award for Grap
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @
Representatives of the Australian High Commission T.
Ms Romani Thambiah and Ms. Mulanei lighting the C
lamp at the ceremonial opening.
Exhibition
THREE young artists who show promise of going far, Chandani Senarath Yapa, Chandrika Perera, and Amita Indiranee held a three day art exhibition at the Lionel Wendt on 4th of September 1995.
After their successful exhibition, which was sponsored by the Australian High Commission in Sri Lanka, the artists have been invited to hold exhibitions at Katubedda University and at Mirigama.
The three artists prepar
ing to be professionals have
joined the University of Y Aesthetics fora postgradu- tr ate course. sl
JANAKI Samanthi Pathi Poster Workshop, participa (Economic and Social Comn Disabled heldin Bangkok frc long ribbon for Beijing '95 m sewing, patch work all done
The painting on cloth by
The disabled women exh paintings, flowers, embroic workshop, the disabled you danced and sang with some
28 0 Voice of Women 0 January 1996
 

bil launches Vaniyang Kallu
by Sybil Wettasinghe, printed and published by lunched on 30th September amidst a big gathering.
raphical dealing with the childhood of Sybil who is the an Poster Workshops.
Vards both here and abroad during her career includ
ngland for "Vesak Lantern" e Book Illustrators Competition rd for "Kuda Hora apan award presented by sociation also for Kuda Hora
Bratislava Award for the Children's Bible
for "Hoity the Fox" ard for "Hoity the Fox" phic Art for Heity the fox"
he three young artists - Chandani Senerath Yapa, ha radirika Perera apud Amita Indrani
Chandani Senerath conducted by the Voice of apa received her initial Women under Art Direcainingat the Poster Work- tors of Kantha Handa, Sybil
nop and Painting course Wetta singhe and S.H.
Sarath.
Ribbons for Beijing
age, a young artist trained at the Voice of Women ted on behalf of the organisation at the ESCAP nission for Asia and the Pacific) workshop for the om June 22-30, 1995. The workshop Stitched a very hade up of one metre long paintings, embroidery, 2 by the participants.
Janaki was "Much appriciated" she said. ibited their products in Bangkok. There were bags, dery, crochet and knitting. At the close of the
ing trying to make a bright future for themselves
playing musical instruments.

Page 31
Post Beijing worksho
Voice of Women held a post Beijing workshop at S.L.A.S.S with the delegates who went to Beijing Supported by SIDA.
The five delegates were Ramani Fernando (Lawyer, Voice Of Women); Eva Ranaweera (Voice of Women); Chinta Balasooriya (Women In Need); Lilian Kariyawasam (SarVodaya); and, Sr. Mary Immaculate. They presented topics including issues of the NGO Forum and UN World Conference, women and the media, feminism and legal aspects, violence against women and the position of women in the Sri Lankan context. The meeting was chaired by Sujatha Wijetilake.
Fifty grass root women participated i the workshop held at S.L.A.S.S, which was opened by Mr Johan Norqvist, Secretary SIDA.
Mr Norqvist was optimistic about life for women after Beijing. He said Ms Carolyn HannanAnderson, the Gendel Advisor of SIDA who participated as part of the Official Swedish delegation to the Conference in China, "was pleased with the outcome of the Confer ence and the documer that was finally accepted. There were some positive changes taking place favouring more equality. The writing of sexual- and reproductive rights sh felt were surprisingly good."
Tears from KuWait
"Tears From Kuwait" was a successful exhibitio conducted by the weekly paper, Ravaya, at the Publi Library on the 24th and 25th October, 1995. The exhi bition showed over one hundred photographs of S Lankan migrant women in Kuwait who have bee made destitute in a country which for most, if not al was the only offering of hope for the future.
The exhibition highlighted the miserable cond tions and the insecurity faced by our women whog in search of work outside the country. It calls fo immediate remedial attention to reduce hardship an exploitation and safeguard the human rights of th
WOnnen.
Weareglad the the exhibition is going outstation t raise public awareness as well as make families realiz how the money sent home is earned.
 

Sexual harassment
"Sexual Harassment - Sharing of experiences and strategies between East and West" was the title of a two day Seminar at the SLFI, conducted by the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung with guest facilitators, Mrs Baebel Meschkutat and Mrs Monika Holzbecher from the Social Research Institute, Dortmund, Germany (both researchers have been working for a longtime on sexual harassmentandstrategies against it in Germany and Europe and presented findings from their study on sexual harassment in the workplace in Germany).
The objectives of the seminar were to find a common definition of sexual harassment, to share experiences (Sri Lanka and Germany), and to develop strategies for awareness and action taking.
One of the difficulties in combating sexual harassment is that there is no absolute definition of what it is, therefore, what the victim sees as offensive is mostly not taken seriously by perpetrators or by those in the position to take action against him. Another problem is the inability to prove many instances of sexual harassment especially when the harassment is a verbal proposition, or when the victim's only contact with the harasser is at the time of the incident.
Not only do they need to be supported by the law enforcers and unions for women to go to, there also needs to be a recognition by the 'everyday' person that sexual harassment is an offence and will not be tolerated. For all the instances that are ignored, victims and bystanders must speak out to protest the degradation of women by all sexual harassers.
Interestingly, the findings, attitudes and strategies to come from the German experience of sexual harassment are similar to those in the Sri Lankan context. This goes to support the notion that sexual harassment essentially has to do with the attitudes toward women and social conditioning about sex and gender roles.
Awards ceremony
FOURTEEN trained artists from the Voice of Women Poster Workshops were awarded with certificates presented by Manel De Silva, Project Officer of UNDP - UNIFEM who funded the workshops, at the Voice of Women auditorium on 16th November 1995. Twenty women participated in two separate workshops over the past two years, with some now working professionally in their field. Also present at the presentation were course directors Sybil Wettasinghe and Charitha Dissanayake (who took over from S.H.Sarath when he left to go abroad).
January 1996 0 Voice of Women 0 29

Page 32
Two po
By Parvathy Arasanayagam
Search
She gathers firewood
to feed the flames
spread warmth in a
cold, hungry room.
The children look
up with hopeful
glances at the
woman called mother,
bring food to
ease the dull lingering
abys between life
and death.
Muddled, cracked,
gnarled, the hands
that clothe and feed
the fires of hunger
fill the plates of
others and scrape the
rice bowl for the last
grains of rice.
300 Voice of Women 0 January 1996

The Patriarch
Your eyes are mirrored orbs
which search my inner being,
search for a spark of femininity
which for you would be a sign of humility,
enhance your own reflective self worth.
But you are surprised,
this picture that you see
reflected in your own
structured gaze of what
one should be, butterfly
or moth, plaything in a
field of golden marigolds
is evasive and escapes
your stereotypical graph,
she is an analytical being
not to be exploited like
the others who dance their
way to death in sleezy bars
or sip the wine of delusion
as you gaze intrusive
at your victim
The sun changes shades,
women, mothers, people
wives, seek other paths
that define another option.

Page 33
E.
O
Emil
= コ
E.
5m
maR
=
a
Women's Heal
INDICATORS of women's cannot be confined to data on pl alone. With an understanding good healthis determined by S. and economic conditions and t womento make their own deci life, data needs to include Won in society and the economic r cated to health services. The shows this interrelationship.
Quantitative figures on he of life expectancy and deat cannot indicate well-being. example, suffer physically ar cally, due to abuse by their n
Looking at the high-inco of Japan and Australia in t situation is obvious. Althoug to their eighties, outliving number of women are bein their male partners. On the O poorer countries like Papua and Bangladesh, women live fifties and many still die due and childbirth. On top of t wife abuse is a common Oc many women in these countil
Generally, Asian-Pacific cc had more success in increasin
Women's Health a
Economic Conditio
life Maternal Cor Expectancy Mortality per Pr W/M4 100,000* ( (1990-95) (1990) Developing Bagladesh 53/53 480 China 73/69 95 India 61/60 200-300 Indonesia 65/61 450 Malaysia 73/69 20 Pkistan 59/59 400 Papua New Ginea 57/55 700 Sri Lanka 74/70 60 Industrialised Austrailia 80/74 5 Japan 82/76 10
Symbol Explanaton:
** Data not available Differs from the standard defi
 

th. Status - Broad indicators
health status ages of women and men using contracephysical health tion than in lowering maternal morality or that access to improving women's access to formal eduocial, cultural cation. Indonesia and Bangladesh are exhe capacity of amples of countries with high maternal sions on their mortality despite moderate levels of conmen's position traceptive use. This reflects more resources esources allo- allocation going to family planning protable below grammes which has not necessarily had a
alth in terms h (mortality) Women, for ud psychologi male partners.
me countries ne table, this h women live men, a large g abused by ther hand, in New Guinea only to their to pregnancy his situation, currence for ries.
ountries, have g the percent
direct correlation with improvement of women's heath.
Maternal mortality is a critical component of women's health and most AsianPacific countries still have moderate to high rates, reflective of inadequate access to heath services and low levels of education. These conditions, in turn, are related to the country's economic resources for development and how priority allocations are made. Defence expenditure is frequently higher than health, as shown in the above for selected countries. Sri Lanka stands out for its ability to lower maternal mortality, provide very good access to health services and promote Women's education even though it has a low income economy, This showshow essential political willis in concrete commitments to improve women's total health needs and the related conditions of their life, 0.
hd Social, Cultural and ins Selected Countries
traceptive Access to Females per 100 Prevalence evalence” Health Males Enrolled in of Wife 1980-93) Serviceso Second Level Abuse
% (1985-93)% (1990) (1990-93)%
40 45 50 ※
83 90 73 岑率
43 85 52 22
50 80 81 岑率
48 岑率 102 39
12 55 41 岑岑
4. 96 61 67 (rural women)
62 93a 106 generalsecondary educ) 60
76 岑岑 99 501
64 岑率 97 59
nition
January 1996 0 Voice of Women 0 31

Page 34
Cervical cance
THE second most deadly cancer to kill Sri Lankan women that is totally preventable.
Cancer of the cervix is located in the neck of the womb wi most common type being squamous carcinoma found in won their40sand50s. Inyoungerwomena differentype of cellisaf identified as adeno carcinoma.
In its early stages cervical cancer can be detected and ti before it claims its victim. By having routine pap smears docto intervene if any cell change is identified before it spreads.
A pap smear is an extremely fast, painless and non-invasi that can detect changes in cells at the initial stage of the can obtaingaswab from the patients cervix. Pap'smears should and be done every two years for sexually active women and all w over 30 years.
Other signs that could be symptoms that cervical can present in its early stages are postcoital bleeding and the prese a watery vaginal discharge. In its more established stages c. features also include bleeding in between the monthly perioc
Fortunately, cancerous cells in the cervix do not grow quic gradually progresses in four stages: during Stage 0 histol changes in the cervix occur, during Stage 1 the cancer is limited cervix, and, during Stages 2,3 and 4 the cancer becomes invas other parts of the body.
Treatment for cervical cancer can either be surgery or radiotherapy. In Stage 0 a simple historectomy can be perfo with amore complexone(Wertheim's historectum) used if the has developed into Stage 1. Past Stage 1 surgery is not effectiv instead radiotherapy is used to kill the cancerous cells.
The cause of cervical cancer is not definitely known; hov theories suggest that seminal fluid in males may be a contrit factor, as well as the early age of sexual activity before the wom fully developed. While childbirth has not been proved as prod the cancer, pregnancy can cause it to spread.
But, all of this can be prevented! Don't become an unnec victim of cervical cancer and contact the Cancer Society, you GP, general hospital or health clinic to find out where you car a pap smear.
32 0 Voice of Women 0 January 1996
 

is one
th the nen in fected
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We test der by I must
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کس صے コ
صے
Conference head
calls for action-oriented platform
by Xu Yang
THE . Fourth World
Conference on Women should adopt a workable, 21st-century-oriented Platform for Action to promote the women's movement in all Countries, president of the conference head of
"Chen Muhua Said
Only such an action-oriented document can satisfy the strong craving of women for equality, development and peace, Chen Said.
Chen, who is also chairperson of the All-China Women's Federation, was elected president of the conference at the opening ceremony on September 4.
She cited poverty and lack of education as the biggest obstacles to women's advancement.
"helping women shake off poverty and recieve education are basic human rights and the precondition of women's participation indevelopment," she pointed out.
"We ask for equality between men and women, opportunities to fully enjoy the rights of survival, development and prticipation, we ask for peace to protect women and children from wars," she said. 0.

Page 35


Page 36
ョ/Aeas عض مع جي
-Zം Zعبر کے مہبربر
 

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