Groups slam bridal parades

Women's groups have slammed the “bridal parades” of Vietnamese girls to potential husbands in coffeeshops and agents' homes as “disgusting, revolting and degrading.”

They felt the Vietnamese girls were being treated like a commodity.

Women’s Development Collective (WDC) executive director Maria Chin Abdullah said: “We are living in the 21st century, and it is very disgusting that we still resort to such methods to get married. It is revolting to know that we have fallen to such a low level to form relationships.”

Maria added that such a practice would only cause men to look at women as a commodity to be bought or sold.

“Such a perception should not even exist. This practice can be classified as an extreme form of sexual slavery conducted under a sham legal framework. The authorities need to look into this matter seriously,” said Maria.

Executive director of All Women’s Action Society (AWAM) Honey Tan said: “It is a very sad state of affairs. They are paraded like objects. It is degrading for women but do they have a choice to say no?

“We need to check if the women are here on tourist visas,” she said.

“We do not know if these girls were willing when asked to parade. We need to encourage the public to change their perception of mail-order brides.”

She added that AWAM was also concerned about the welfare of these women, especially those who have married Malaysians. These women should be told of their rights and the persons to contact in case of emergency.

Executive director of Women’s Aid Organisation (WAO) Ivy Josiah said: “Whether the women are picked from magazines, photo profiles, or parades, the men are the ones calling the shots. There is no element of free will for the women. Because of poverty and problems back home, these women are resorting to becoming wives to complete strangers.”

There was an element of exploitation, she said, adding that a sale was no basis for marriage or mutual respect, let alone love.

“The basis of marriage cannot be a commercial transaction. One needs to show respect for women. When the man buys a wife for services and the wife does not perform, issues of exploitation and abuse will rise,” she said, adding that such a practice is appalling and should be stopped.

“It is embarrassing to know that Malaysian men are involved in such ‘transactions’.”