Taiwan is home to over 800,000 migrant workers, nearly half of whom are women. Many female migrant workers arrive during their prime childbearing years, facing unique challenges when raising children in a foreign land. To shed light on the experiences of these migrant mothers and increase public understanding of the regulations and rights related to migrant pregnancy, the Serve the People Association (SPA) and the German Institute Taipei have organized the "Women No Cry: Stories of Migrant Workers" exhibition.
Accompanying the exhibition is the release of the "Stories of Female Migrant Workers" anthology, which features the narratives of 10 migrant women. These stories portray the resilience and courage of migrant mothers as they navigate oppression and fight for their rights.
Exhibition Highlights
The exhibition officially opened today (December 19) with a press event featuring Rini, one of the women whose story is included in the anthology. She shared her experiences as a migrant mother, offering a personal perspective on the struggles faced by women like her.
The event also included a screening of the documentary "When the Plane Passes By", produced by award-winning filmmaker Tsai Tsung-lung, whose "Nine Shots" won Best Documentary at the Golden Horse Awards. The film provides a glimpse into daily life at a migrant shelter while exploring the hardships of raising children far from home.
Advocacy and Support
During the opening ceremony, Andreas Hofem, Deputy Director of the German Institute Taipei, emphasized the importance of addressing the human rights challenges faced by female migrants in Taiwan. "As part of Taiwan's society, we wish to contribute. Female migrant workers have enriched Taiwan through their labor, and they deserve acceptance and basic dignity," Hofem stated.
Wang Ying-da, Director of Migrant Policy at SPA, shared insights from a decade of providing services to migrants. SPA operates three shelters serving workers from Indonesia, Vietnam, and the Philippines. Over the past ten years, the association has assisted over 1,000 migrants with shelter, labor disputes, and consultations, exposing many systemic issues in the process.
"Our goal is to highlight the humanity of these migrant mothers," Wang explained. "They love their children just as we love ours. Recognizing this should compel us to advocate for more humane treatment and stronger legal protections for them and their children."
Exhibition Details
The "Women No Cry: Stories of Migrant Workers" exhibition is open to the public free of charge from today until December 23. Those interested in migrant issues and human rights are encouraged to visit the exhibition at the Yi Yi Space in Songshan Cultural and Creative Park.
[RTI / Writing Editor: Chen Nianyi / News Quote: Interview ] 2024-12-19 12:04
[Photo by Chen Nianyi ]