- Brief created: 2021
- For policymakers
- Malaysia
Silence and Silencing of Women: The Case of Trafficked Women
Based on:
Journal Article (2019) ↗
Trafficked women are entitled to self-respect, human rights and dignity. They should be treated like any other person and are capable of exercising their own agency
Brief by:
This research provides an insight into trafficked women’s experiences and their responses in navigating the harms experienced throughout their migration period. It provides a nuanced understanding of agency and victimhood and explores women’s experiences of being trafficked.
Key findings
This research discovers the nuances and commonalities of women’s migration and trafficking experiences and exposes how the notion of ‘protection’ is used as a euphemism for state control.
The findings of the study demonstrate how silencing is used as a strategy to minimise harm and how women are silenced through language barriers.
Proposed action
There need to be a political will to implement changes
The women who are rescued should have a choice to choose if they want to sheltered by the government or otherwise
Many of the rescues that takes places occur during trafficking raids
The act of rescue should follow certain procedures and conducted in a more humane and compassionate way which shows that a victim is being rescued rather than arrested
Women need to be rescued from trafficking in a more humane way
Victims need to be respected at all times
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Acknowledgements
Thank you to ASEAN
These insights were made available thanks to the support of ASEAN, who are committed to the dissemination of knowledge for all.
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Silence and Silencing of Women: The Case of Trafficked Women
Cite this brief: Abdul Hamid, Haezreena. 'Silence and Silencing of Women: The Case of Trafficked Women'. Acume. https://www.acume.org/r/silence-and-silencing-of-women/
Brief created by: Dr Haezreena Abdul Hamid | Year brief made: 2021
Original research:
- Abdul Hamid, H., ‘Silence and Silencing of Women: The Case of Trafficked Women’ (pp. 1–12) https://doi.org/10.17576/geo-2019-1503-01. – https://ejournals.ukm.my/gmjss/article/view/32508
Research brief:
Trafficked women are entitled to self-respect, human rights and dignity. They should be treated like any other person and are capable of exercising their own agency
This research provides an insight into trafficked women’s experiences and their responses in navigating the harms experienced throughout their migration period. It provides a nuanced understanding of agency and victimhood and explores women’s experiences of being trafficked.
Findings:
This research discovers the nuances and commonalities of women’s migration and trafficking experiences and exposes how the notion of ‘protection’ is used as a euphemism for state control.
The findings of the study demonstrate how silencing is used as a strategy to minimise harm and how women are silenced through language barriers.
Advice:
There need to be a political will to implement changes
- In this respect funding would be a main issue to be dealt with. Nevertheless, the allocation of funds for this purposes need to be prioritised. Victims need to be treated with respect and dignity. They should not be deprived of their rights. The changes to be made need to reflect the will to improve the human rights and welfare of the women as the whole outer framework is problematic.
The women who are rescued should have a choice to choose if they want to sheltered by the government or otherwise
Many of the rescues that takes places occur during trafficking raids
- Such form of raids traumatises women. Therefore, strategies need to be devised to ensure victims do not feel traumatised by the practices of enforcement officers.
The act of rescue should follow certain procedures and conducted in a more humane and compassionate way which shows that a victim is being rescued rather than arrested
- At present such practices appears to undermine any productive relationship or collaboration with the police.
Women need to be rescued from trafficking in a more humane way
- Perhaps with the involvement of NGOs with a medical or psychological background that can play a caring role.
Victims need to be respected at all times
- The police sometimes allow media personnels to witness the raids and capture the raids on cameras and recorders. Those recordings are eventually aired or published in the media. Such acts exposes and humiliates them. The suspect traffickers on the other hand are being shielded from any media coverage in view of respecting their right to a free trial. Such caution should also be exercised on victims.