Former Human Trafficking Victim Receives TIP Report Hero Award

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The United States Embassy in Jakarta awarded former migrant worker-turned-advocate with the Trafficking in Person (TIP) Report Hero Award 2018 for her contribution in raising awareness on human trafficking in Indonesia. 

The former migrant from Wonosobo, East Java, was once a victim of human trafficking and is currently tirelessly advocating trafficking victims by establishing the migrant workers’ village. It accommodates migrant workers and provides training on entrepreneurship and introducing support groups. 

“We are strongly committed to eradicating human trafficking since it is an urgent issue and is our top priority program in Indonesia. We highly appreciate the role of the Indonesian government that continue to combat human trafficking cases,” said the US Ambassador for Indonesia Joseph R. Donovan on Tuesday, September 4 at Menteng, Central Jakarta. 

Maizidah said that the award is something that she never dreamt of; “I was once a victim of human trafficking and I am trying to rise-up for others without expecting anything in return. This award is not the end of the struggle, but a whip to push myself to become more valuable for others,” said Maizidah.

The Trafficking in Person (TIP) Report Hero Award 2018, which was founded in 1999, was officially handed to Maizidah in Washington D.C. on June 28 by the United States Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Ivanka Trump.  

SUCI SEKARWATI