Belated Eid Greetings!

As we celebrate the arrivals of successful pilgrims abroad, some pressing realities gnaw at the smiles and joy of the season.

When we watched the video months back of a Filipina being raped helplessly by her Arab employee, this brings to mind the hapless plight that thousands of our single, (maybe even married) Filipina women (including Maguindanaoan and Moro Domestic Helpers) face everyday. In a society without access to support groups, women fear being harassed in their quarters, especially in homes where they are ALL ALONE with the male boss.

International and Philippine laws guarantee the rights and safety of women, especially those working abroad. Laws against trafficking of persons have been passed. Republic Act 9262 or Violence Against Women and Children penalizes husbands, boyfriends and males who harass women, whether emotionally, physically and financially.

But it seems that a culture of silence and shame has prevented many of our victimized women from publicizing the physical invasion of their body, not to mention the mental torture they have to live with everyday.

I have lived in the Kingdom for the past 15 years. While I treasure my sheltered childhood in Jeddah and Riyadh, I cannot say the same for many of the domestic helpers, nurses and other run-aways who visit our home and the Embassy for diplomatic help. The stories are heart wrenching. The families back home unknowing.

Our women's groups here in the Philippines have a wealth of advocacy material against violence against women. A legal group based in Davao City called SALIGAN and Al-Mujadillah Development Foundation in Marawi City have produced modules that speak of Islam and Women's Rights. I am sure they can share these with our civic and religious leaders abroad who can use these information in their dialogues, sermons with concerned Arab authorities, police even their media.

Hoping for your action in the cause of being Khalifas when Allah commanded forbidding what is wrong and enjoining what is right.

SAMIRA GUTOC
Concerned
Moro Times Managing Editor (www.manilatimes.net)

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