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Minds Without Borders

A thoughtful look at how culture, society, politics, media and economics affect us all.

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SOCIETY | EQUALITY

It Is Cruel To Deny Foreign Domestic Helpers The Right To Basic Human Needs, Namely Sexuality

When are we really going to reach equality?

Chingmay Anaïs Jo
Minds Without Borders
7 min readOct 23, 2024

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My beautiful former Filipino domestic helper and my daughter Emma both deserve equal treatment and chances from everyone in the world. (Author’s photo, with the consent of both.)

I don’t know if it’s the Hong Kong people who don’t have much libido or if they are simply cruel. Most of them put a curfew for their foreign domestic helpers on their one day off per week; they are afraid that their helpers will have boyfriends and get pregnant. This is the same as denying the helpers a good rest and eating well because it’s all part of basic human needs.

Some helpers don’t even have the personal space to do whatever they like to do with themselves. That’s insane and would drive me insane. I went through a few periods of long abstinence in my life, but naturally, because of work stress and other factors. However, I cannot see myself being forced into abstinence — that would be like not living.

During the 10 years of my helper’s employment, I encouraged her to have a boyfriend and told her to stay out on weekends if needed, which she did. I have always wished to see her marry a nice man who would deserve her love.

Being brought up as a devout Catholic, she was not promiscuous, though she loved…

Minds Without Borders
Minds Without Borders

Published in Minds Without Borders

A thoughtful look at how culture, society, politics, media and economics affect us all.

Chingmay Anaïs Jo
Chingmay Anaïs Jo

Written by Chingmay Anaïs Jo

I am a multilingual and multicultural nomad who studied international affairs and history. I love music, humor, animals, and beauty in everything.

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