Help Anna

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I was doing a research yesterday when I came across this intriguing sidebar link, Help Anna. It is about the different Anna who is a victim of violence and trafficking.

Anna, 8 years old, a tsunami survivor in Aceh, Indonesia, was abducted and forced to labor by a criminal syndicate.

Anna, 26 years old, a domestic helper Filipina who was physically and verbally abused by her employer. She is also once been deprived of food for a simple mistake committed.

Anna, 26 years old, Columbian who escaped with her children from her abusive husband, was kidnapped, trafficked to Asia and was forced into sex slavery.

Anna, 35 years old, a former successful stewardess, who suffered physical, emotional and verbal abuse from her husband when Anna caught him having an affair.

I don't know the exact statistics on the violence against women all over the world or even in the Philippines. I guess I'll have to leave that to the experts. I have witnessed and experienced myself different forms of abuse. They can happen everywhere and to anybody. In the office, at the street and even to the place we call home. The common way of violence is by being beaten almost to death and lashed out with words which make a person reduced to being an animal. It can also be in a very subtle way where bullying is done or a person can be the center of all jokes. It is mostly done by men but sadly women can also be perpetrators. Social media and networking sites are the easiest venue for bullying since some people can bash and troll by just using their fingertips and an anonymous usernames.

November 25 is the International Day to End Violence Against Women and on that same day The National Committee for UNIFEM, Singapore will unveil Anna's future. 

Let us support the End of Violence to Women. Join UNIFEM, Singapore on November 25 at Angel Canopy, Clarke Quay from 12nn to 9pm.