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| Issue 05/08 January 2008 |
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SPOTLIGHT ON: The Child Sex Tourism Law in Singapore
In Singapore, it is illegal to engage a minor for commerical sex purposes. But across our borders, the situation is drastically different. In fact, neighbouring countries such as (Batam) Indonesia, Cambodia and Thailand, have girls as young as 14 tricked into prostitution. Singaporean men who knowingly or unwittingly exploit these young girls, do so easily by travelling overseas. Recognising a growing trend of Child Sex Tourism, UNIFEM Singapore has spent the last several years driving the community effort advocating for the legislation of the law. This involved various means such as Advocacy, Outreach, Publicity and an Online Petition.
In Oct last year, the Penal Code was amended to include section 376C, which made commercial sex with a minor (any person under 18) an offence not just in Singapore but outside of Singapore as well. The punishment for such an offence is imprisonment up to 7 years and/or a fine. In addition,  section 376D was also included to make the organisation of 'sex tours with minors' a criminal offence as well.UNIFEM Singapore celebrates the passing of these two laws which are positive steps toward ending child prostitution in the region. It is now everyone's responsibility to see that offenders are punished for breaking these laws by reporting any relevant suspicious activities to the authorities.
In a bid to publicise the passing of this law, UNIFEM Singapore is running a Bus Stop Advertisement at Kranji MRT (Near the Turf Club).
We have also re-launched the www.stopchildsex.org.sg website, and encourage everyone to visit this site to learn more about the issue. Together, we can make positive changes to end violence and abuse against women and children. We would like to take this opportunity to thank each and everyone of you in helping us in this journey.
(Left: Poster Ad for the Bus Stop at Kranji)
(Bottom: The look of the new stopchildsex website. The new site will be launched in early Feb 2008)
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EVENT REPORT: International Migrants Day 2007 - Building Bonds, Upholding Dignity
By Jolovan Wham, HOME
International Migrants’ Day (IMD) marks the day the United Nations General Assembly adopted the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families. Around the world, activities to promote the rights of migrant workers and to celebrate their contributions to their countries of origin and work are held.
In December last year, Humanitarian Organisation for Migration Economics (HOME), The NTUC Migrant Workers Forum, Migrant Voices (MV) and Transient Workers Count Too (TWC2) commemorated the event by forming varying partnerships to promote these activities according to their own purposes and means.
The large number of migrant workers in our midst has led some Singaporeans to form negative perceptions about them. Reports of Singaporeans complaining about the socially unacceptable behaviours of migrant workers have also reinforced this. Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong made mention of this recently, urging Singaporeans to be more tolerant of their presence. We are also concerned that a significant percentage of migrant domestic workers do not have a regular day off. This is important for the well being of migrant domestic workers and can give them access to much needed social support.
 The weekend long celebration started with a day off campaign to encourage employers to give migrant domestic workers a day off. Post cards bearing the slogan, ‘Domestic workers need their days off too’ were distributed by approximately 20 volunteers to passers-by along Orchard Road, together with information sheets addressing the concerns employers have about giving days off. A film festival featuring 3 short films (Foreign Dreams, Lucilla, The Call Home) by local film makers and a full length feature (Crossing Arizona) was organized. The short films explored the lives of migrant workers in Singapore and the difficulties they face living abroad. Crossing Arizona was a documentary that examined the debates surrounding the immigration of low-skilled migrant workers in the United States.
 The weekend commemoration ended with a forum theatre performance entitled ‘Blinded, binded and Trapped in Love’ at Little India. The actors, who are migrant workers themselves, performed stories which explored the tensions between migrant workers and their employers. The performance attracted a crowd of approximately 500 people, most of whom were workers from Bangladesh.
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ANNOUNCEMENT: UNIFEM Singapore Youth Team's Rice Drive
The Rice Drive is a project started by the UNIFEM Singapore Youth Team, with the aim to provide a platform for students to play an active and immediate role in helping the needy. The objective of the rice drive is three-prong. 1) To collect rice from students to meet the needs of shelters run by H.O.M.E. 2) to raise awareness about migrant worker issues and violence against women, and 3) to cultivate a spirit of giving among youths. The pilot run of the rice drive is being conducted at Raffles Girls School (RGS) from Jan 28th to Feb 1st, 2008. If your school or organisation is interested in conducting the rice drive, please email thericedrive@gmail.com For more information on the rice drive, visit www.thericedrive.blogspot.com
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ANNOUNCEMENT:
UNIFEM Photo Competition - Deadline extended to Feb 15th
Theme: Women and Girls from Developing Countries
We've received several fantastic entries, but we want more! And it's not too late to contribute your photos to a good cause! If you have yet to submit your photo, please do so by Feb 15th. Your photos will be used for our publicity and website material, and help us to spread the important message of gender equality and ending violence against women. In addition, the three best entries will win a lovely Merry Cranberry Gift Set sponsored by The Body Shop.
 Win this lovely gift set!
Rules and Regulations:
1. This competition is open to the Public.
2. Digital Photos should be at least 1MB in size, and not be digitally altered.
3. Participants may submit as many photos as possible.
4. By submitting your photo, you shall be granting UNIFEM the non-exclusive rights to photo usage.
5. Closing Date for entries is 15th February 2008. (No further extensions!)
How to submit photos:
By Email: unifem.singapore@gmail.com, Please put 'UNIFEM Photo Competition' in the subject line of your email
By Mail: Mail your photos to UNIFEM Singapore at 2 Nassim Road, Singapore 258370. We regret that photos received will not be returned. Please include your email address and contact number if submitting by mail.
Thank You for your Participation
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