Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Bangkok (Agenzia Fides) - Many women refugees from various countries, from neighbouring Myanmar and Laos, but also from as far away as Sudan seek shelter in Thailand. Some are alone but many come with children seeking a better life and future. Many fall into the trap of the racket of prostitution and crime, and those who have the courage to report to the authorities are sent to centres for illegal immigrants where living conditions just as terrible. On the occasion of International Women’s Day March 8 this fact was reported by the Jesuit Refugee Service to call attention to the tragedy of women refugees especially in countries where there is no respect for individual rights and dignity.
Various NGOs including JRS are in Thailand to provide women refugees with material, psychological and legal assistance to help them insert themselves in society. Too often women are denied asylum, fundamental rights and equal opportunities.
JRS recalls that half the world’s population are women and that women and children constitute 80% of the refugees all over the world. In March 2001 JRS published a book “War has changed our life, not our spirit” with stories of women victims of war and hardship to call attention to the urgent need to guarantee displaced women protection and assistance. JRS operates in 50 countries, with over 1,000 volunteers helping some 450,000 refugees, half of the whom are women. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 8/3/2007 righe 25 parole 256)
