TORONTO: I am very happy to say that the articles carried by Canadian Bazaar magazine in its last issue on the sexual exploitation of young girl international students, mostly those from India, drew a huge response.
Since we at the Elspeth Heyworth Centre for Women are deeply involved in issues related to victimization of women, including human trafficking, we wanted these issues to be highlighted so that people in Canada and India become aware of the seriousness of the problem.
These articles served our purpose because many more media outlets approached us to speak on these issues.
Among the media outlets that came to us include CBC News Network, OMNI Television, Radio SARGAM, Canadian Sath TV and Radio, Hamdard Media Group, South Asian Radio – Vancouver, Hear Her Story, 88.9 RED FM, and PTC Punjabi TV Channel.
Through these outlets, we reached out to the larger community, parents and the youth planning to come to Canada.
It was very encouraging that my interview on Hamdard TV in Chandigarh reached hundreds of thousands of viewers.
Through our media outreach, we wanted to draw attention to many issues which can help international students in Canada prepare for life in the new country. Below are some of points we wanted to make:
Call to students: Do not give personal information to partners and friends, when building relationships.
Mandatory orientation either in India or in Canada for all international students. Mandatory orientation is currently offered one-on-one for youth by the Elspeth Heyworth Centre for Women. Group sessions can be started by our organization.
Youth must have phone numbers of NGOs with good reputation so that they can call whenever in need.
Reduce university and college fees: Currently international students are paying four times more than Canadian students. This puts the international youth in a financial trap even before they arrive in Canada.
Universities and colleges must offer relevant courses to build solid youth careers so that youth can earn well paid income. Courses offered by universities and colleges are limited. Students enrol in these limited courses, and lose their focus on what they need to do to build their career.
Trade Skills are high in demand in Canada: Universities and colleges should offer apprenticeship programmes with the support of unions. While in training and apprenticeship students can be trained on job and earn decent income i.e. $20 to $24 per hour.
At the end of apprenticeship (three to five years), youth can have a RED SEAL, which is a licence to practice in their profession anywhere in Canada and earn over $40 per hour.
Take the the construction sector. It is a growth sector that requires not only trades workers, but also people with qualifications for professional, administrative and technical jobs. Colleges and universities should enourage international students to consider occupations that can be adapted to growth sectors – such as engineering and law, accounting and finance, purchasing, and IT.
They should connect students to non-profit organizations that work closely with the construction sector, that can provide opportunities for networking and mentoring, and building relationships within the sector, while they complete their degrees.
To the government policy makers: Number of hours should be increased for international students from 20 hours per week. Twenty hours per week with minimum wages cannot help students pay rent.
A hot-line: This can be set up by the Elspeth Heyworth Centre, for youth to call when they feel distressed, suicidal, have financial difficulties, report exploitation, difficulties with employment, drugs, trafficking, etc. Hot line can capture statistics with regard to the nature of difficulties youth are facing, gender, reason for distress, etc., which can be communicated with the government to address or change the existing policies.
To the community members: Gurdwaras and temples should open up their space for youth to connect with those who are long-time settlers in Canada. Educated and settled seniors can be mentors and guide for students ensuring youth remain on track. Communities’ responsibility to look after their youth.
Parents who send their children to Canada, must also go through mandatory orientation in India to understand that putting financial pressures on their children who are abroad can create undue stress on them, leading to distress and suicide.
Ongoing awareness programs through NGOs that have good reputation in Canada: The Elspeth Heyworth Centre is offering awareness programs for youth between the ages of 12 and up. Program includes story telling, games, homework groups, etc. During these activities gentle messages are given to youth on how to protect themselves from on-line social media portals, strangers, dating with strangers, keep personal financial information confidential, etc.
Request to the Peel Police and the Region of Peel: Girls should be encouraged to take up martial arts. Being a walking weapon, will keep them safe from sexual harm. We have requested Peel Police to assist in starting up free martial arts programs in the Peel Region.
