Robbed of Her Rights

International Women's Day falls on March 8th, which is why I want to share this video about abused domestic helpers with you. The video was produced by We Care Hong Kong and sponsored by the HKU Class of '84 Social Inclusion Fund. It breaks my heart that there are people in Hong Kong, my beloved city, who abuse workers like this.

I hope that when you view this video you will be moved to share it with others, so that they too will support our programmes to alleviate the suffering of these women. Importantly, we not only help to alleviate suffering, but we also equip these women to resist abuse in the future.

Our lives would be a nightmare without our domestic helpers.  They are employed to fulfill many of the household functions that our mothers traditionally carried out: nurturing and caring for the people who mean the most to us, our children and elderly relatives. They prepare our meals, do the cleaning and wash our clothes.

When my mother filled that role, I honoured her (or received a clip around the ear for my lack of respect and cheekiness!).  Yet, I have to ask how many people honour their domestic helpers for their often sacrificial hard work?

Unlike many entrepreneurs who come to Hong Kong, domestic helpers don’t come here to make big profits, but because they feel that they don't have a choice. They feel forced to leave their own children behind in order to come here and earn to provide necessities that will move their own children out of the cycle of poverty: schooling and nutritious food on the table.

A common problem you will note from the video is 'no payment' or 'underpayment'. How does this affect a domestic helper? She is robbed of her right to provide for her family. She suffers the pain of leaving her traditional mothering role and not being able to see her children grow up – and after all that she is ill treated. Nothing grieves me more than to witness such injustice!

You can be part of the change by supporting our programmes through prayer, and by making a financial contribution. Thank you for supporting abused domestic helpers.