Perilous journeys of women migrant workers in Bangkok spotlight
Violence against women migrants in the ASEAN region is under the spotlight in an impactful exhibition at the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre this week.
“Safe Journey with Her: Ending Violence against Women for Safe and Fair Migration” showcases stories from the UN’s collaborative six-year programme "Safe and Fair”.
In a region with 24 million migrant workers, nearly half of whom are women, labour migration is a crucial avenue for women escaping poverty and violence, offering them better job opportunities and valuable skills.
The exhibition showcases the remarkable journeys of women as they cross ASEAN borders in search of better lives for themselves and their families.
But also reveals the dangers of these trips as migrant women come up against existing power imbalances, stereotypes, governance gaps in labour migration, and prevalent social norms. The exhibition uncovers the violence, harassment, and exploitation that become looming threats in many women’s quest for self-betterment abroad.
The good news is that the Safe and Fair project is making progress in protecting women against violence, trafficking and perils of migration, said Panudda Boonpala, deputy regional director for the International Labour Organisation (ILO), which co-organised the exhibition with the UN Office on Drugs and Crime, and UN Women.
However, UN Women’s Sarah Knibbs said female migrants suffering violence still face substantial barriers to getting the help they need.
The solution was to humanise the issue by telling the stories of what these women experience, she explained.
The exhibition runs until Sunday, December 3.
Entry is free.
