The DAWN shelter in the Philippines for women and children was launched on Sept. 22, 2000. The centre aims to function as a seminar and training centre, halfway home, educational centre, livelihood centre, therapy and theatre workshop, sustainable environment and resource centre. The centre is a further product of the organisers who have worked very hard since 1996 to deal with the issues and problems related to migration and overseas contract workers (OCWs), specifically Filipina entertainers in Japan. They have carried out an advocacy and networking program to ensure public awareness of the plight of migrant women workers and Japanese-Filipino children and have generated support for their cause. The present venture is a further extension of their work.

The touching opening ceremony was marked by plays and songs from the migrant workers' children and women. The songs, a drama and a video told the plight of migrant women who go to Japan as entertainers. A sad story of exploitation, including sexual exploitation, was told in a pathos that generated resentment, anger and sympathy. Several children of Japanese-Filipino parentage were present. Some of them have been able to find their fathers with the help of the Development Action for Women Network, or DAWN. Several people spoke at the meeting, including Basil Fernando, executive director of the Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) in Hong Kong, who congratulated DAWN for its brave, courageous, daring and self-sacrificing work. In addition to these remarks, he made the following observations:

'What we have seen just now is very touching and also saddening. The players and singers who have played before us are, in fact, the real players. They have just turned into song, drama and dance the very real lives of theirs. The video we saw about child reunions with their fathers too is touching, even though these meetings last far too short a time.

'We heard how some children dream for years to see their fathers. This is tragic, for what is more natural for a child than to see his or her father and mother. However, even the most basic and natural things are denied to some people under some conditions; and in our times, migrant workers and children often become such victims. The work that organisations like DAWN does is so very important and very humane under these circumstances. Such work requires extraordinary qualities of patience, endurance and courage. To confront people and society with things that they would rather wish to forget is not easy. This type of work requires the support of the governments, the churches and the society.

'It is time a loud cry is made on the issue of migrant workers. In a predominantly Christian country like the Philippines, one would expect that all the pulpits in all the churches would constantly remind society of their obligations toward migrant workers, who constitute a large section of the working population. One would hope that the bishops conferences would take up the migrant worker issue and that the media would keep the interest of these people constantly live. Above all, it is the duty of the government to address this important issue.

'Just yesterday [Sept. 21], Filipinos gathered in the streets to remember the imposition of martial law 28 years ago. The way that the people fought against this cruel law is a shining page in Filipino history. The sacrifices that were made, including the sacrifices of lives, is a tribute to freedom-loving people. On such occasions, we may ask what were all these sacrifices for? Were they not to honour and defend the dignity of the Filipino people? If that were so, how can the treatment to Filipino migrant workers and their children remain a matter of indifference to those who care about freedom? The issues of migrant workers are about their dignity, and this must become a central concern of the Filipino freedom movement. In fact, as the migrant workers issue is one faced by most Asian countries, there needs to be a greater commitment to alleviating their suffering. This year when Migrant Workers Day is observed on Dec. 18 it must be made to be celebrated more widely and more loudly, thereby, giving real meaning to the fight against martial law.'

One congregation of sisters made a contribution of 10,000 pesos (US7) to the work of the project. The organisation, which plans to provide shelter for migrant women that need help in counselling, also solicits your support. You may obtain further details from DAWN Philippines by email at dawnphil@i-next.net.