Filipina child slavery activist receives int’l award

Filipina child slavery activist receives int’l award

Ma. Cecilia Flores-Oebanda, President and Executive Director of the Visayan Forum Foundation, received the 2005 Anti-Slavery Award from Anti-Slavery International last Nov. 29 at Chatham House in London, United Kingdom. She was awarded for her outstanding and innovative work to protect migrant workers, particularly child domestics, in the Philippines and the surrounding sub-regions in Asia.

Internationally-acclaimed author of Harry Potter series, JK Rowling, a supporter of Anti-Slavery International, presented the 2005 Anti-Slavery Award.

Hundreds of thousands of children in the Philippines work as domestics; most are girls. They are forced to work long hours in unacceptable conditions and are deprived of their right to education, rest and recreation. They are isolated from their families and friends, and are under the complete control of their employers.

Although domestic work is often regarded as a safe form of employment, in reality children have to handle hazardous substances and are vulnerable to a wide range of abuses, including physical or verbal abuse and sexual violence.

“Cecilia Flores-Oebanda has successfully exposed the hidden problem of child domestic labour in the Philippines. Through her work and dedication, thousands of women and girls now know their rights and have the power to live and work in safety,” Mary Cunneen, Director of Anti-Slavery International, said.

“I am deeply honoured to present the 2005 Anti-Slavery Award to Cecilia Flores-Oebanda for her life-long campaign against the exploitation of child domestic workers. Cecilia’s courage, vision and persistence have already effected significant changes in the laws regarding child labour and trafficking in the Philippines. She continues to seek protection for all children from the horrors of modern-day slavery. I hope that this international recognition of her work will also help shine a spotlight upon the widespread abuses of children that Cecilia seeks to eradicate,” JK Rowling said.

In 1991, Ms Flores-Oebanda founded the organisation Visayan Forum Foundation, which works throughout the Philippines to secure the rights of child domestic workers and empower them to help themselves. Through it she created the first domestic workers association, SUMAPI, and has successfully pushed for legislation that will protect domestic workers from slavery and exploitation, such as the Batas Kasambahay or the Domestic Workers’ Bill, which is currently in the Senate.

(PRESS RELEASE)