NZ Women's Refuge calls for law review

About 400 mail-order brides and women married for dowry money are seeking refuge each year in New Zealand after being abused and dumped by their husbands, said Women's Refuge on Sunday.

It calls for reviews and changes to immigration laws after being overrun with the cases.

According to law, the women have no legal status in New Zealand because their husbands withdraw sponsorship for residency and their temporary permits expire.

They do not qualify for Work and Income assistance. Most cannot return home where they are unwanted and face further violence.

The women come from countries including China, India, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Fiji, said Women's Refuge.

Women's Refuge national manager Heather Henare estimates about 400 such women stayed in the country's 47 refuges each year.

Many families lived in their safehouses for over a year while waiting on immigration applications, putting the already cash- strapped service under increased stress, said Henare.

The refuges are funded for less than 20 percent of their estimated 26 million NZ dollars (19 million U.S. dollars) running costs. Some cannot afford to feed families in their care.

"There has to be some serious consideration by Immigration and the Ministry of Women's Affairs on how best to serve these women," Henare said.

Source: Xinhua