Voices of strong survivors

It was raining that morning. Though it was a cold day, people gathered to hear the voices and stories that warmed their hearts- whether with anger or resolve. At the front of the hall there was a notice that said: Survivors Gathering.

All around the room people were wearing red t-shirts with a message on the back, Let’s hear the voices from our heart.

World Vision Myanmar, once again, in collaboration with The Central Body for Suppression of Trafficking In Persons (CBTIP) brought together 31 survivors (12 men, 19 women, including 9 children) from 19 different townships for a survivors’ gathering event from 31 May to 3 June 2016. Cases of trafficking included forced labour on fishing boats in Thailand and Indonesia, forced marriage to Chinese men, forced prostitution, and labour exploitation in Thai fishing industry.

The survivors perspectives and insights offer up the most genuine voices around the issue of trafficking. When they are encouraged to speak, they become a strong voice for change with decision makers.

Prior to the final event with the CBTIP members, the survivors came together for three days to share about their experiences; learn from each other and to discuss the issues they wanted to address. The survivors presented their concerns and recommendations through drama, illustration and call and response presentation. Their stories were also presented in a video narrated by them. 

The final event attendees included representatives from the Myanmar government including: Anti-human Trafficking Task Force, the Departments of Social Welfare, Immigration, Labour, Justice, Attorney General, General Administration, plus colleagues from the UN, other INGOs, and media representatives.

"Government, international and local partners, the returnees, if we all work together, we can combat human-trafficking. I want to encourage all of you to collaborate together in our future plan," said, Police Brigadier General Myo Swe Win in his opening remarks.

The survivors were encouraged to share about their experiences and raise their concerns to fight for justice and equal rights. The issues they raised included:

• Obtaining national registration cards
• Information about how to travel abroad legally
• Monitoring businesses to ensure workers are paid and have basic benefits
• Better access to news and information from Thai factories where Myanmar people are working
• Permission to contact family members and to speak freely between Myanmar citizens while detained in Thai shelters
• Bringing justice and taking serious action against smugglers, traffickers and brokers

“Thanks for sharing your difficulties openly. By organising this event, we can hear the survivors’ voices. It helps us in our awareness raising activities on anti-human trafficking and safe migration,” said Daw Nandar New Han, Deputy Director from Yangon region Department of social welfare.

World Vision has been fighting against human trafficking and will continue its effort in collaboration with concerned government bodies and other NGO partners to end modern slavery.