Kerryn Boogaard Kerryn Boogaard
Beverly Goldsmith Beverly Goldsmith
Zoe Bingley-Pullin Zoe Bingley-Pullin

Women helping women:

How would you feel if you had to ask a strange man for a sanitary product & you were given one or two at a time?
By Motherpedia
Date: January 07 2014
Editor Rating:
woman_asylum_seeker
Image Source:

Photo courtesy of The Australian

Women seeking asylum in Australian detention centres are reportedly being forced to ask security guards for sanitary products which are then only provided one or two at a time.

Spokeswoman for the online women’s community, Destroy the Joint, Jennie Hill has called on women across Australia to show support for women asylum seekers in detention.

“We know women are being treated poorly in detention. I most recently saw a case when a woman was not permitted to see her child lying ill in hospital and pregnant women seeking medical treatment were denied assistance and told to ‘lower their expectations’,” Ms Hill said. 



“Now we have all been shocked to learn that pads and tampons are being handed out one by one and women have to ask, primarily male, guards for them every time they need them. 



“I can’t fathom a possible reason for this apart from a clear desire to humiliate women who are fleeing persecution and seeking asylum in our country. 



“This is a terrible way to treat any woman but made worse when you consider what many of these women have endured to get here. 



“Many are from countries where menstruation is never spoken of and so having to ask, repeatedly, for sanitary products is difficult and highly embarrassing.”

Ms Hill said Destroy the Joint supporters have expressed their outrage at this practice and are rallying to support women in detention to demand some basic human rights and call for an end to practices that humiliate.

Destroy the Jointis asking Australian women to send a message to Immigration Minister Scott Morrison by posting an unused women’s sanitary product to him each month.

“This is to help send a message that Australian women will not tolerate such appalling behaviour from their government,” said Ms Hill. 



“The first thing Scott Morrison can do is ensure all those who need sanitary products get them in good supply, whenever they need it without having to ask a guard.

“Our understanding is that SERCO, the contractor which runs the centres, is funded to supply sanitary products so this is not about a shortage of supplies. It is simply about providing women in detention a level of dignity and respect.

“We are encouraging women across Australia to get involved and support the action.” 

* * *

Find out more at this Facebook page. Destroy the Joint is an online community of almost 40,000 people that fights for gender equality and represents the interests of women. 

Scott Morrison’s addresses are:

Hon Scott Morrison, MP

Minister for Immigration & Border Protection

Parliament House

CANBERRA   ACT   2600

OR

Hon Scott Morrison, MP

Minister for Immigration & Border Protection

Suite 102, Level 1

30 The Kingsway

CRONULLA   NSW   2230

Share This Tweet This Email To Friend
Recent Comments
0 Total Comments
Post a Comment
* your email address will not appear

Please enter the word you see in the image below:


Post a Comment
* your email address will not appear

Please enter the word you see in the image below:33343


Your Comment has been posted
Related Articles
asylum_seekers
The Government is urged to stop punishing asylum-seekers and to…
Read more
fully-welcome-refugees
The Brotherhood of St Laurence & the Anglican Church in…
Read more
obama_family_2
The US Presidential election had many points of interest, including…
Read more
women_in_parliament
Prime Minister Abbott said his Ministry was appointed on merit.…
Read more
Cry babies

Dry your eyes!
The newest additions are on their way from the Babies who cry real tears!

Shipping-containers-freight-wallpaper-preview

Latest Tech Used In Shipping Containers
Read how the shipping industry has revolutionised

Motherpedia cover-2

Win 1 set of a 4-book hardcover illustrated boxed set
Barbara Murray’s new 4-book Sound Stories is perfect for parents and educators and could assist with NAPLAN results

Motherpedia cover (4)

Where to celebrate Oktoberfest Australia
Get ready for this celebration!

Motherpedia cover-4

A Fortnight of Foodie Experiences at East Village
A taste of East Village. What's in it for me?

Globber my too fix up cover

We Try: Globber My TOO Fix Up
A scooter that grows with your child

Throw a winning cricket pitch

3 Steps to a Winning Backyard Cricket Pitch
Ex-Adelaide Oval legend curator Les Burdett shares his tips for getting your backyard cricket pitch test match ready this summer

A bike that follows your kids life cycle - motherpedia - cover

A Bike That Follows Your Kids Life Cycle
Check out the Bunzi 2-in-1 gradual balance bike!

Moonlight lifestyle

Moonlight Cinema to bring…
Moonlight Cinema announces brand new Western Sydney venue

Screen shot 2019-11-26 at 8.29.12 am

Your Magical Christmas Wonderland…
Adventure park is about to light up the night sky with its "Christmas Festival of Lights"

Screen shot 2019-11-21 at 11.11.36 am

The Preston Market Gets…
It's time to feel pumped up for the holiday season!

Bruno-kelzer-zqzuigxcvrq-unsplash

Bunnings team members get…
Help raise funds by buying a snag or donating at your local store.