Isabel Phua – Kallos

Sex Trafficking in Singapore

Isabel Phua — Sun, 24 May 2020 04:00:00 +0000

STATISTICS

MORE THAN 45 MILLION PEOPLE WORLDWIDE ARE VICTIMS OF TRAFFICKING

79% ARE WOMEN AND CHILDREN, FOR SEXUAL OR LABOUR EXPLOITATION

34 TRAFFICKING CASES INVESTIGATED IN 2017. 22 WERE CASES OF SUSPECTED SEX TRAFFICKING

How does sex trafficking work?

Sex trafficking is a form of human trafficking, specifically for the purpose of sexual exploitation. It occurs when someone is forced, coerced or cheated into a commercial sex act such as prostitution, pornography, and any sexual performance in exchange for items of value like money, food, shelter, or drugs.

Does it happen in Singapore?

In Singapore, prostitution in regulated red-light districts is legal. Sex workers and brothels are issued special licenses by the police’s Specialised Crime Branch, also known as the anti-vice department, to operate. However, certain prostitution-related activities are illegal, such as pimping, importing a woman for sex work (even if she is consensual), and public solicitation.

The problem is that the laws in Singapore both tolerate and criminalise sex work at the same time. The government has stated that they do this so that it is easier to regulate prostitution, but it also means that sex trafficking then becomes more difficult to track and abolish.

In fact, in 2010 and in 2017, Singapore was categorised as Tier 2 in the Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report published by the U.S. Department of State. Tier 2 is a category for countries that have a significant number of trafficking victims and have failed to show efforts to combat the situation.

Why is it difficult to stop sex-trafficking in Singapore?

Many women who end up in Singapore as sex workers are lured with promises of highly paid professional work, or as waitresses or hostesses. Upon their arrival, they might have their passports taken from them and are forced into sex work to pay off their debts. With no way to get help, most victims have no choice but to agree.

In addition, most of these women enter Singapore on tourist visas. Therefore, when they are caught, they are treated as immigration offenders rather than victims of sex trafficking, making them more vulnerable to reentering the sex trade as they are not allowed to find legal work or even return home. As many come from Bangladesh, Myanmar, India, Thailand, Vietnam, and the Philippines, even when victims want help, language barriers stop them from getting it.

WHAT NOW:
– In 2018, Channel NewsAsia reported that a large number of Singaporean men have been looking for sex with girls in Batam, Indonesia. Not just that, but they specifically want girls who are virgins or teenagers. These girls are about the same age as you are. Does this knowledge make you feel differently about the situation?

– Pray for Hagar Singapore, a Christian NGO at the front line of combating sex trafficking in Singapore. They currently work with the Singapore government to strengthen public awareness and enforcement capacity, and provide victim care to trafficked women and girls in Singapore.

– If you come across a potential trafficking situation in Singapore, report it to:
Police hotline (+65) 6435 0000
Ministry of Manpower (+65) 6438 5122

GET INVOLVED BY FOLLOWING THESE NGOS (BOTH LOCAL AND OVERSEAS) AND SEE HOW YOU CAN CONTRIBUTE!

– FB.COM/HAGARINTERNATIONAL
– FB.COM/EMANCIPASIA
– @HAGARSINGAPORE
– @EXODUSCRY
– @WIPEEVERYTEAR

Refugees From The Middle East

Isabel Phua — Tue, 24 Mar 2020 04:00:00 +0000

STATISTICS

70.8 MILLION PEOPLE WORLDWIDE
ARE FORCIBLY DISPLACED

25.9 MILLION REFUGEES
TO DATE

2/3 OF REFUGEES come from just five countries:
Syria, Afghanistan, South Sudan, Myanmar and Somalia

A STORY FROM A REFUGEE (AMIRA*)

Amira is a widow with many children. Living in a foreign place, having fled terrorism and losing contact with two of her children, Amira felt lost. She was desperate to find hope.

One day, Amira responded to a message from an online ministry campaign from a Christian media ministry: “Want to know more about Jesus and his personal love for you?” Amira was intrigued, and went online to find out more. Upon discovering different resources, she was touched by the gospel and filled up a form stating: “I want to study the Bible online. I am not a Christian but I need to know this Christ.”

A media ministry worker began conversing with Amira on Whatsapp. Amira told him, “I do not want to remain ignorant. I want the knowledge that leads to the truth.” She also shared a dream that Mary showed her the Lord laying in a manger. Amira said she didn’t know if it was real but she was trembling inside. The worker told her that none of this was a coincidence, and that the Lord was knocking on the door of her heart. She accepted Christ that very day, and soon three of her children did too. Since then, Amira and her family have met regularly with local believers, growing in their faith. She isn’t sure what the future holds, but knows in her heart that she belongs to the King of Glory.

WHAT IS THE ISSUE?

There are so many refugees and internally displaced peoples across the Middle East. From Syria alone, 13.5 million were identified as displaced and needing humanitarian intervention following the Civil War. Hundreds of thousands have fled with nothing, embarking on dangerous journeys just to try to reach safety. This is especially dangerous for women and children if they are separated from their families and do not have male guardians accompanying them.

HOW CAN WE PRAY?

– Pray for travelling mercies, for basic sustenance, and safety in such dangerous conditions.
– Ask God to comfort them. Children have seen things that they should never have seen. Many women have been left destitute, forced to raise their children and work while living in uncertain conditions.
– Pray for these countries’ authorities, that there would be wisdom, compassion, and a resolve to find peace.
– Pray for Middle Eastern churches to be a witness of light and love as they nourish bodies, souls, and hearts.

Want to find out more?

Visit www.arabworldmedia.org/ or @arabworldmedia on IG for more information.

The True Cost Of Cashew Nuts

Isabel Phua — Fri, 24 Jan 2020 04:00:00 +0000

STATISTICS

17% INCREASE IN IMPORTS
OF CASHEWS INTO EUROPE IN THE LAST 5 YEARS
(CENTRE FOR THE PROMOTION OF IMPORTS, 2019)

276,368 METRIC TONS
OF SHELLED CASHEWS EXPORTED FROM VIETNAM 2016
(INTERNATIONAL NUT AND DRIED FRUIT 2017/2018 STATISTICAL YEARBOOK)

WHY IS THE JOB DANGEROUS?

The cashew nut is not like a peanut that is dug up easily from the ground. It is actually a hard protrusion at the end of a cashew nut apple. After plucking the protrusion from the fruit, the edible part of the nut is retrieved by the shellers who manually crack open two layers of shell. When the shells are opened, a dangerous mix of cardol and anarcardic acid sandwiched between the two layers is released, potentially causing terrible burns on the shellers’ skin due to their acidic nature.

WHAT IS THE PROBLEM?

This danger has been posed in the cashew nut industry for a long time. However, with the increased popularity of the nut due to vegan and vegetarian diets, the production of the nut has taken on a greater intensity. Being a cashew nut sheller has been low-wage work for a long time, with wages varying between $0.50 to $3.50 a day. Imagine living with that kind of wage! With increased demand and the market pressure to drive prices even lower, the income of the shellers are in danger of being lowered still, despite the high risk of having permanent injuries.

What’s more, “cottage production,” an informal form of employment where women take nuts home to shell, is common in India. Without a formal contract, they have no rights as an employee. This means that if their employer wishes to lower their salary, no one can say anything about it.

WHAT ARE THE RISKS?

Unfortunately, since cashew nut shelling is done by hand, many workers have had their hands badly burnt from the corrosive acids in the shell. The acids cause boils and infections on their fingers, with some eventually resorting to cutting off the tips of their fingers so that they can continue working and receiving an income. Many of the workers choose not to wear gloves as it slows down the process, and since many of these workers are paid by the volume of nuts they are able to shell, they rather suffer burns than lose their already meagre incomes.

WHAT NEXT?

Undoubtedly, this is a complex issue that involves the businesses within the cashew nut industry as well as local policy makers who should safeguard the welfare of their citizens. What can we do as consumers who seem far away from the problem? Even if everyone stops eating cashew nuts altogether, the effort may be futile as these workers will seek out other work that may keep them within the low-wage income cycle.

One thing we can do is to be aware of the problem and make better choices. Our knee-jerk reaction is to reach for the cheapest option at the grocery store, but a better choice would be to consciously select ethically-produced items. Look out for fair-trade labels, which are indicative of fair (not low!) prices in order to promote social and environmental standards across the production process. It is more likely that the cashew shellers are earning a fair wage too!

PRAY

– That business owners will prioritise the workers’ welfare over their profits
– That good education will reach those who are vulnerable, empowering them to understand their rights as a employed worker
– That the workers in the cashew nut industry will encounter the gospel and find their hope in Jesus Christ
– That the Holy Spirit will keep our hearts tender to those who are suffering

Child Cybersex Trafficking In The Philippines

Isabel Phua — Sun, 24 Nov 2019 04:00:00 +0000

STATISTICS

54% OF VICTIMS RESCUED BY IJM CASES ARE 1-12 YEARS OLD

16-17 YEARS OLD: AVERAGE AGE OF COMMERCIAL SEX TRAFFICKING VICTIMS

WHAT IS CYBERSEX TRAFFICKING?

Cybersex trafficking is the live-streaming of sexual exploitation viewed over the internet. In this digital age, children are now scarily exposed to a world of predators. Anyone can access sexual services online, and victims of cybersex trafficking may be sexually abused or forced to perform sex acts for a predator thousands of miles away.

WHY CAN'T THE PROBLEM BE SOLVED?

Unlike bars or brothels with a physical location, cybersex trafficking is hard to contain. The abuse can take place anywhere that has internet connection and a webcam or camera. Untraceable wireless payments make it difficult to prosecute predators, and tech-savvy “pimps” can easily evade detection. The high profit margins that one can gain from this online exploitation has caused cybersex trafficking to thrive in the Philippines.

WHY ARE CHILDREN TARGETED?

Sadly, the more perverse a sex act is, the more a customer pays, and children are a niche market that is particularly lucrative. According to IJM, some victims of cybersex trafficking in the Philippines are even under two years of age. These children are often tricked and coerced by trusted adults into performing lewd sexual acts before they even understand what is being done.

For those who are slightly older, they may not be aware of what is happening until it is done. One victim, Joy (not her real name), was invited to her neighbour’s home to hang out after school with some of her friends. Since this is a neighbour she trusts, she agreed. However, upon entering the home, her and her friends were suddenly instructed by the woman to take off their clothes. The woman took out her camera, started taking pictures of them, and subsequently posted it online for others’ enjoyment.

The powerlessness of children makes them easy targets — they are usually unable to resist the pressure when pushed to engage in these activities, and unable to seek restitution when they become a victim of cybersex trafficking.

For those fortunate enough to get rescued, the fear, trauma, and damage inflicted on them lasts a long time and requires an arduous journey of restoration.

WHAT NOW?

PRAY:

– For the children who have gone through much trauma, that in dark moments of despair, the peace of God will ll their hearts, and the comforting presence of the Holy Spirit will be a refuge to them.
– IJM is working with authorities in the Philippines and international law enforcement to protect abused children, but also to develop a scalable model that can stop cybersex trafficking from spreading globally. Pray for favour and unity within the teams!

Support: Give a thoughtful gift to a loved one through the IJM gift catalogue. Choose a gift in honour of your friend or loved one, and they will receive an e-card to see how their gift makes a difference. Available at https://gifts.ijm.org.

The #NunsToo Movement

Isabel Phua — Tue, 24 Sep 2019 04:00:00 +0000

STATISTICS

UP TO 30% OF CATHOLIC SISTERS HAD BEEN SEXUALLY ABUSED AND MANY MORE ARE AT
RISK OF CLERICAL SEXUAL ABUSE
(THE CONVERSATION AUSTRALIA, 2019)

THOUSANDS OF CHILDREN WERE SEXUALLY ABUSED BY CLERICS OVER THE PAST 70 YEARS

THE ROYAL COMMISSION OF AUSTRALIA FOUND MORE THAN 4,400 SEPARATE ALLEGATIONS OF ABUSE AGAINST CATHOLIC INSTITUTIONS IN AUSTRALIA

ESTIMATED 3.8 MILLION VICTIMS AROUND THE WORLD

STORY

In January 2017, a nun from Kerala, India, approached church authorities to report Bishop Franco Mulakkal, whom she accused of raping her more than a dozen times from 2014-2016. However, she received little support, and eventually decided to report him to the police in June 2018. While he was recently charged with raping the nun nine times over a two year period, the significant amount of resistance and time taken to prosecute him is a disheartening sign that the issue is not given the attention it deserves, and this sentiment is echoed by nuns around the world.

WHAT IS GOING ON?

Before 2018, the primary focus of the Catholic Church has been handling the sexual abuse by priests and other church members against minors. However, after different scandals came to light, Pope Francis, the head of the Catholic Church, admitted for the first time in February 2019 to BBC News that there are indeed bishops and priests who are sexually abusing nuns in the church. Catholic women across the world are now sharing their stories under the hashtag #NunsToo, leading to what is now seen as a global sex abuse crisis in the Catholic Church.

WHY IS THIS HAPPENING?

Sexual abuse of nuns is not new. In 1994, an Irish nun published a report to the Vatican with evidence of nuns being sexually harassed and abused in over twenty countries by their male clerics. However, the Vatican stayed silent and concealed it. In the February 2019 issue of Women Church World, editor Lucetta Scaraffia shared hundreds of stories from nuns that showed sexual abuse happens due to the abuse of power from a male-dominated leadership and the hierarchy and patriarchy of the Catholic Church. What was discovered in an investigation of the Chilean Catholic Church — a culture of abuse, inaction and concealment — seems to be an alarming pattern that is also happening in churches across the world.

WHY IS THIS THE FIRST TIME WE ARE HEARING ABOUT THIS?

For many nuns who have been raped, it is difficult for them to report that they have been raped by a priest, because the prevailing belief is that women can say no to sex. Also, many believe they are the ones who are at fault, as they must have done something to seduce these holy men.

Just as it has been difficult for many child victims of sexual abuse in the Catholic church to report the abuse, nuns find themselves powerless to seek justice. When some of them have gotten pregnant, they have even been forced to get abortions or thrown out of the order. Overwhelmingly, it is the difference in power between the nuns and the priests that has made this issue one shrouded in secrecy until now.

WHAT NOW:
– Read the story of Hagar in Genesis 16. The way God cared for her demonstrates His heart for victims. Pray for every victim to remember that God is with them and cares for them.
– Think: What does God’s response in Genesis 18-19 (one of the most infamous incidents of sexual assault in the Bible) tell you about His heart for sexual perversion?
– Pray for the Catholic Church and its leaders to be God-fearing, humble to admit they are wrong, and repentant of their actions. Pray for them to have courage to right wrongs and fight for justice the way the Bible teaches us to.

Breast Ironing In The UK

Isabel Phua — Wed, 24 Jul 2019 04:00:00 +0000

STATISTICS

ESTIMATED 1,000 VICTIMS OF BREAST IRONING IN THE UK
(SOURCE: CAME WOMEN AND GIRLS DEVELOPMENT ORGANISATION)

INCLUDES PRE-TEEN GIRLS ACROSS THE UK

ESTIMATED 3.8 MILLION VICTIMS AROUND THE WORLD

WHAT IS IT?

Breast ironing, also known as breast flattening, involves pounding, massaging, or burning a young girl’s breasts using heated objects like stones and hammers with the aim of stopping her breasts from developing. In many cases, the girl’s breasts are wrapped tightly with a bandage.

WHY DOES IT HAPPEN?

Breast ironing is a form of gender-based violence. Although it is deemed as a cultural practice, human rights organisations call it gender-based child abuse. It is done with good intentions from family members, often mothers or grandmothers, as they believe that as a girl enters puberty and her chest develops, she is prone to sexual harassment, rape or early pregnancies. Thus, to protect the girls from unwanted sexual advances, they enforce breast ironing to make their daughters less attractive. In some cases, girls have chosen to “iron” their own breasts.

WHAT ARE THE RISKS?

The effects of breast ironing are dire. Victims are affected socially and psychologically, often feeling ashamed of their bodies, becoming withdrawn and depressed. Physically, they are left with scars which can lead to infection, and breast tissues can be damaged. In some cases, their breasts can completely disappear. These effects are detrimental for the girls later in life when they have children; many victims of breast ironing have trouble producing milk and breastfeeding when they do have children.

WHY IS IT HAPPENING IN THE UK?

Although it is most commonly practiced across Africa, there has been a rise of breast ironing victims in the UK. Many of the African communities in the UK today come from former British colonies and African countries such as Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya, and Zimbabwe.

Community workers estimate at least 1,000 victims across the UK, but human rights organisations like Freedom Charity UK believe that the figures are under-reported due to the secrecy of the abuse and the family relationship between the perpetrator and the victim. In the UK, there is also no specific law against breast ironing and there has not been any prosecution for carrying it out. However, there are laws related to common assault, child cruelty and bodily harm, that perpetrators can be prosecuted under.

WHAT NOW:
Think:
Do you think this can be accepted as a cultural norm or should it be seen as abuse? Why?

Pray:
For the victims of breast ironing; that they will encounter God’s restorative love, know that they are accepted, and believe they are fearfully and wonderfully made by our Creator God.

Persecution Of The Chinese Church

Isabel Phua — Sun, 24 Mar 2019 04:00:00 +0000

STATISTICS

ESTIMATED 72- 92 MILLION CHRISTIANS IN CHINA

OFFICIALLY AN ATHEIST COUNTRY

1.4 BILLION: POPULATION OF CHINA

FROM 2014 TO 2016, 1,500 CROSSES WERE REMOVED FROM CHURCHES IN ZHEJIANG PROVINCE

WHAT IS GOING ON?

Persecution is not new to religious groups in China. Since coming into power in 2012, President Xi Jinping has cracked down on human rights groups, freedom of expression, and religious freedom. It is believed that more than a million Uighers (a Muslim minority from Xinjiang) are bring held in political “re-education” facilities where human rights abuses are taking place. Advocacy groups also mention that the Chinese Church is going through some of the worst persecution, especially so in the past year.

In December 2018, social media platforms were filled with reports and prayer requests specifically by members of Early Rain Covenant Church, a well-known Protestant church in Chengdu city. Their pastor, Wang Yi, his wife, and more than 100 other leaders and members were arrested, detained in police stations; some beaten up by police officers, and others charged with criminal activities facing potential jail terms. Church members were blocked from going into their church building which was converted into a local government office. Students studying in the church seminary were being escorted and sent back to their hometowns where many come from non-believing families; authorities have then been convincing the families that these students have committed grave crimes, which led to more persecution from family members.

Early Rain is not the only church; other churches across the country are similarly affected with church buildings being torn down and Christian literature being destroyed.

WHY ARE THEY PERSECUTED?

According to a government white paper released in April 2018 that introduced basic policies for all religious activities and expressions in China, all religions must be Chinese in orientation be subjected to China’s socialist ideology.

Christianity is seen by the Chinese authorities to be a “foreign religion” controlled by past colonists and imperialists. As such, the government requires religious groups to register and gain official approval, but many churches refuse to do so. To register would mean joining the state-sanctioned “Three-Self Church” which is closely controlled and monitored by the government, and church leaders have condemned it to be theologically and politically corrupted. Thus, many continue to worship in unofficial underground house churches.

WHAT NOW:
Despite the persecution on the Chinese Church, they are setting an incredible example for us who share in the same faith — joyful in the midst of trials (James 1:2-4), having an answer for the hope they believe in (1 Peter 3:15) when they are questioned, and choosing to carry their cross to follow our Lord Jesus (Matthew 16:24-26). May we learn from and pray alongside the persecuted Church.

– Think: What if you were threatened for your faith in Jesus? How would you respond?
– Read Daniel 4 and respond: Can any government be greater than the Living God? Pray for the same repentance of King Nebuchadnezzar on the Chinese government.
– Google and read: “Declarations of Faithful Disobedience”, a letter written by Pastor Wang Yi, who asked for it to be published if he were to be detained for longer than 48 hours.

Have You Been Living Wisely?

Isabel Phua — Thu, 24 Jan 2019 04:00:00 +0000

New year or not, our lives are riddled with decision-making. From big decisions like deciding which school to attend, to small ones like deciding whether to spend on that tempting cup of bubble tea or to save that $3, all these choices are made by ourselves. For me (Hannah), I’ll be graduating from university and entering the working world in about six months’ time. That alone comes with so many changes and decisions that, at this point, I don’t feel prepared to face. I am spending my free time looking through career options and man, it is stressful! On days when thoughts about the future are overwhelming, I grip my hands together and whisper a silent prayer: Dear God, give me wisdom that comes from you!

WHY DO I NEED WISDOM?

When we think of a “wise man”, we might conjure up an image of an old man with a long white beard, stroking it thoughtfully as he thinks his wise thoughts. It can sometimes feel like wisdom is something only older people can possess through years of hard-earned experience, but the good news is that godly wisdom something all of us can have, if only we ask God for it (Jas 1:5)! In fact, we are told that wisdom is something we should all desire. Proverbs 4:7 says, “Get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding.” So why does the Bible make such a big deal of wisdom?

In a nutshell, gaining wisdom is all for the purpose of living the life that God wants us to live. This also means becoming more like Jesus, and isn’t that our ultimate goal as Christians? There was a popular phrase in the 90s that is now out of style — What Would Jesus Do? “WWJD” seems clichéd now, but it actually still makes a lot of sense. In essence, asking that question when we make certain decisions is saying that we want to be like Jesus and live like He did.

HOW DO I GET WISDOM?

Sometimes though, just saying that we want to be wise and live like Christ isn’t helpful enough! When I (Isabel) got together with my current boyfriend, I wanted to make sure I made a wise and godly choice, but making that decision wasn’t as simple as following my feelings or thinking about what was logical. Personally, what always brings me clarity are the 5 Cs on living wisely shared by Nicky Gumbel in his book How Does God Guide Us?. They’ve been my go-to for a long time, and if you are also asking the question, “How do I make a wise decision?”, these 5 Cs are definitely for you!

GAINING WISDOM IS ALL FOR THE PURPOSE OF BECOMING MORE LIKE JESUS.

1. Commanding Scripture (Read)

Does your decision contradict what is in Scripture? If yes, then it’s probably not where God wants you to be. For example, if you are applying for a part-time job that will require you to bare more skin than you usually do or act seductively, it contradicts how the Bible exhorts a woman to behave (1 Tim 2:9). Sometimes, this could mean sacrificing something that means a lot to you. Pray and ask God for His grace and provision even as you choose to obey Him.

2. Counsel of the Saints (Talk)

Proverbs 19:20 says, “Listen to advice and accept discipline, and at the end you will be counted among the wise.” I (Hannah) have found that seeking the perspectives of Christians who are older, wiser, or more experienced than me on various matters have added to growing my understanding of how I can navigate tricky waters. As I assess their words with what I believe from the Word of God, I hold on to what I believe is wise and let it guide my steps. Who are your wise counsellors and what do they think about your options? More importantly, will you be humble in accepting their advice?

3. Common Sense (Think)

Does the decision you are making make sense? Perhaps you are thinking of taking up a new CCA in addition to all your other commitments, such as school, tuition, spending time with your family and friends, and having time with God. You are already struggling to cope but you are really interested in this new CCA! Think: Does it make sense to take it up?

4. Compelling Spirit (Listen)

The Holy Spirit speaks to us in various ways and one primary way is when we spend time with Him in prayer and worship (Acts 13:2). Take time to pray about your decision. Speak to God and wait upon Him. You’ll never know how God may speak to you. However, even if God doesn’t speak in a way that you hoped or wanted, it does not mean that God is not there. Go back to reading the Word of God faithfully, listening to wise counsel and watching how God speaks through His Word or through the people around you. Our loving God knows how to lead us.

5. Circumstantial Signs (Watch)

Doors open; doors close. God is sovereign and all-powerful, and if He wants you to be in a certain place, He will certainly provide the way. Consider Paul in Acts 16:6-10. Paul intended to preach the gospel in Bithynia, but “the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to”. Immediately after that, Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia begging him to come to Macedonia to preach the gospel there.

Sometimes, God’s plans are different from ours, and we need to watch for circumstantial signs that may show us His plans. That said, never place too much emphasis on signs alone — make use of the other 4 Cs to ascertain God’s will for you in that season. Remain prayerful as you continue to seek God in making your choices!

WHO ARE YOUR WISE COUNSELLORS, AND WHAT DO THEY THINK ABOUT YOUR OPTIONS?

WISDOM FOR LIFE

We take heart that God is all-knowing, and no decision we make takes Him by surprise. As you consider these tips and seek to honour God, trust that God will grant you godly wisdom as you navigate through the various decisions that you will make in this lifetime.

The Yemen War

Isabel Phua — Wed, 23 Jan 2019 16:00:00 +0000

STATISTICS

AS OF NOV 2018: 6,800 CIVILIANS KILLED AND AT LEAST 10,700 INJURED (UNITED NATIONS)

22 MILLION IN NEED OF HUMANITARIAN AID

85,000 CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF 5 DIED FROM MALNUTRITION (SAVE THE CHILDREN)

HOW DID IT HAPPEN?

The Yemen War has its beginnings in the Arab Spring, a movement driven by pro-democratic protesters across the Arab world in 2011, resulting in the current President of Yemen, Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi, coming to power. President Hadi was struggling to deal with many problems in the country, and the rebels in the North (the Houthis) took advantage of this situation and took control of Yemen’s capital, Sanaa, in early 2015 and started to work towards taking over Yemen’s second biggest city in the South – Aden.

The conflict has only gotten more complicated since, and the three-year war has taken its toll on the country.

WHAT IS HAPPENING?

In April 2018, the UN General-Secretary declared the Yemen civil war as the worst humanitarian crisis in the world. As the war enters its fourth year, more than three quarters of Yemen’s population are in dire need of humanitarian assistance, and half of the population is on the brink of famine. Because of more deadly air strikes, especially at the Red Sea port of Hudaydah, an essential supply route for food and medicine imports, Yemen is facing increased food insecurity and a failing healthcare system.

WHY IS THIS A PROBLEM?

Women and children are facing the brunt of this war. UN Women reports that of the millions of civilians displaced in 2018, almost 76% of them are women and children. Maternal and infant mortality rates are rising due to the lack of medical support and supplies in the hospitals. In addition, for every child killed by bombs and bullets, dozens are starving to death, with an estimated 150,000 children’s lives at risk of death by malnutrition.

WHAT NOW:
– Pray:
1. that all imports of food and medical supplies will be granted permission to enter the country and sent to those who need it desperately.
2. for the bombings and fighting to cease and for parties involved to be at peace with one another.

– Read: Psalm 9:9. Pray that God will be a refuge and stronghold for those who are affected.

– Reflect: In light of these sufferings in this world, what hope do we have in Jesus Christ?

Devadasi In India

Isabel Phua — Fri, 23 Nov 2018 16:00:00 +0000

STATISTICS

450,000 DEVADASI IN INDIA
(National Human Rights Commission, 2013)

DEVADASI OR DEVARADIYAR MEANS “SERVANT OF GOD”

12 YEARS OLD: THE AVERAGE AGE WHEN A DEVADASI IS FIRST TAKEN FOR SEX

WHAT IS IT?

The devadasi system is a religious practice in parts of southern and western India, where pre-pubescent girls are dedicated to the goddess Yellamma and are considered “married” to God. They are thus no longer allowed to marry a mortal. However, upon reaching puberty, these girls can be “taken” for sex by patrons who usually provide for her family and any children she bears as well. Due to the devadasi’s religious status, even married men can have sex with them without being considered unfaithful to their wives.

WHY BECOME A DEVADASI?

Many of the devadasi are Dalit, the lowest caste in society. In fact, oftentimes, Dalit families are ostracised from villages due to their caste, and hence remain illiterate and poor. With limited options for income, the system is seen as a means for poverty-stricken parents to unburden themselves of daughters.

Other times, devadasi themselves dedicate their own daughters to become devadasi as well. Sadly, even women as young as 30 are considered old in this profession, and when they fall pregnant, are also less desirable. If a devadasi is abandoned by her patron (which often happens as she gets older), another man can take his place, but when none do, giving their own daughters up can be seen as their only way to survive and gain an income for themselves.

WHY IS THIS A PROBLEM?

Despite the practice being banned since 1988, it is still prevalent in some parts of India, with little to no enforcement of the law. Devadasi are usually illiterate and uneducated, which traps them in a cycle of poverty, dependent on selling sex to survive. In addition, their multiple partners makes them vulnerable to sexually-transmitted diseases and HIV/AIDS. Finally, devadasi are subject to harassment and even sexual violence with little protection under the law.

WHAT IS BEING DONE?

There are efforts made to stop children of devadasis from becoming devadasis themselves through education and teaching them skills for self-sustainability, but these efforts lack funding and are often even opposed by locals who ostracise the devadasi.

WHAT NOW:
– Reflect: Do you feel upset about the injustice these women and girls face? Ask God how He feels about it and how you should pray.
– Pray: That the devadasi will be liberated from this cycle, and that the Indian government can effectively pass laws that protect these vulnerable women and children.
– Help: Find out more about Mission India, a Christian missions organisation, who reaches out to the devadasis in India! https://missionindia.org/reaching-devadasis/