EXERCISE 1 : MARKET RESEARCH (Jaymee Chung Wen Xiu

Tenaganita Market research (Q&A)

NGO Introduction

1. Who is Tenaganita?

Tenaganita is a Malaysian non-government organization (NGO) founded in 1991 by the late Irene Fernandez, a well-known human rights activist. The name “Tenaganita” means “Women’s Force,” which highlights its roots in advocating for the rights of female workers in Malaysia (Tenaganita, n.d.-a; Asia Thinkers, n.d.).

2. What does Tenaganita do?

Tenaganita offer legal aid rescue interventions, shelters, psycho-social support, livelihood programs examples like Tanma cooperative, policy advocacy, and holds corporations accountable for marginalized groups such as migrants, refugees, women, and trafficking victims (Tenaganita, n.d.-a; Hati.my, n.d.).

3. Where does Tenaganita operates?

Tenaganita operates from Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia, with its headquarters located near Kuala Lumpur. From this central location, the organisation coordinates its nationwide efforts to protect the rights of migrants, refugees, and trafficked individuals. It also runs shelters, provides legal aid, and partners with local communities across Malaysia to support vulnerable groups (Tenaganita, n.d.-a).

Evolution Journey

4. How has Tenaganita evolved over the year?

Tenaganita was most focus on women workers but later expanded its efforts to address issue like human trafficking, refugees, stateless persons, and more. It adjusted its services to meet new challenges. Examples include launching digital awareness campaigns and forming collaborations across borders for legal protection (Asia Thinkers, n.d.).

5. When was it founded and what triggered its emergence?

Tenaganita was founded in 1991, and triggered in the late 1980’s, against the backdrop of Malaysia’s economic growth and a significant influx of migrant labour, female workers faced widespread exploitation during this time (Tenaganita, n.d.-a).

6. Why was Tenaganita established?

Tenaganita officially launched in 1991. This is because an organization was create from the struggles of Malaysian women and foreign workers, we worked side by side with these hard-working people to defend their rights as workers, such as fighting for decent wages, a decent living conditions, and end to discrimination and gender-based violence (Asia Thinkers, n.d.).

7. How has Tenaganita grown in strength?

Tenaganita has grown in strength thought various initiatives and interventions. It challenges by proposed discrimination policies and draws inspiration from the resilience of our communities of our communities. Since its inception, it has evolved from advocating for worker rights to establish legal clinics, safehouses, livelihood cooperatives, multi-sectoral partnerships and international advocacy effort (Tenaganita, n.d.-a).

8. What major milestones mark its evolution?

Major milestones in Tenaganita evolution include its official founding in 1991, the launch of its anti-trafficking program in1993, the creation of Tanma Federation in 2010 to support refugee women, and its strong advocacy against labour exploitation and policy changes affecting migrant workers (Tenaganita, n.d.-b; Sinar Daily, 2023).

Core cause and SDG

9. What core cause does Tenaganita champion?

Tenaganita champions the rights of vulnerable communities, especially women, migrants, refugees, and victims of human trafficking, aiming is to end exploitation, discrimination, abuse, and gender-based violence. (Tenaganita, n.d.-a).

10. Which SDGs does Tenaganita address?

Tenaganita addresses several SDGs including such as SDG 1 (no poverty), SDG 3 (good health and well-being), SDG 5 (gender equality), SDG 8 (decent work and economic growth), SDG 10 (reduced inequalities), and SDG 16 (peace, Justice and strong institutions), through its work with migrants, refugees, and marginalized communities (Tenaganita, n.d.-a)

11. Why does Tenaganita focus on migrant and refugee rights?

Tenaganita most focus on the rights of migrants and refugees, because these groups often face organized exploitation, abuse and lack of basic services. The NGO believes that amplifying the voices of disadvantages groups is the key to build a just and compassionate society (Asia Thinkers, n.d.).

12. Why is Tenaganita concern about migrant workers in Malaysia?

Tenaganita, has consistently and loudly voiced deep concerns over the inherent and critical problems in the system of recruitment and employment systems for migrant workers in Malaysia. Many aspects of the country Malaysia’s immigration policies several violation of fundamental rights and limit access to justice (The Edge Malaysia, 2013).

Mission and vision

13. What is the mission of Tenaganita?

The mission of Tenaganita is to promote and protect the rights and dignity of all woman, migrants, and refugees by creating collective spaces where they can achieve their full potential and find liberation in a globalised world (Tenaganita, n.d.-a).

14. What is Tenaganita vision?

Tenaganita envision a just, free, democratic, and sustainable society where all individuals are treated equally and live with dignity and rights (Tenaganita, n.d.-a).

SWOT Analysis

15. What is the strength of Tenaganita as an NGO?

Tenaganita strength as an NGO lies in its strong advocacy for migrant workers, women, and children, its experiences in anti-trafficking efforts, and its commitment to human rights. They are recognized as a leading organization in Malaysia for their work in these areas, particularly in combating human trafficking and protecting disadvantages population from exploitation and abuse (Tenaganita, n.d.-b).

16. What is the key weakness of Tenaganita?

A key weakness of Tenaganita is reliance on limited funding and grants, which can restrict its ability to meet the growing demand for support from vulnerable groups (Asia Thinkers, n.d.).

17. What threats does Tenaganita face?

Tenaganita operates in a political sensitive space. It risks backlash from government authorities, traffickers, or xenophobic groups. Restrictive laws and limited protection for refugees also present ongoing threats (Sinar Daily, 2023).

18. How does Tenaganita collaborate with other organization?

Tenaganita actively collaborates with various organizations to strengthen its advocacy and support for migrant workers, refugees, and trafficked persons. This includes working with community-based organizations, international groups, and other NGOs to address issues of exploitation, violence, and human rights violations. Tenaganita official website explains they work with groups like the Coalition of Burma Ethnics in Malaysia (COBEM) to support refugee communities and with organizations like Electronics Watch to combat forced labour. They also collaborate on legal aid and shelter initiatives for survivors of gender-based violence (Tenaganita, n.d.-b).

Latest creative campaigns (last 2 years)

19. What is Tanma and why is it important?

Tanma Federation is a fair-trade cooperative founded by Tenaganita in 2012 for Burmese refugee women in Malaysia. It is important because its provides support for training and psychosocial, and a safe space for peer learning and preventing gender-based violence (Tenaganita, n.d.-c; Tanma Federation, n.d.).

20. How many out outsourcing agencies has Tenaganita filed cases against ?

Tenaganita has taken legal action against 55 outsourcing agencies, filling cases that affecting over 5000 workers with various authorities, including police, immigration, the Home Ministry, and the Ministry of Human Resources (The Edge Malaysia, 2013).

21. How did Tenaganita help migrant workers?

Tenaganita, a Malaysian human rights organization, has supported migrant workers through various form of support including legal aid, advocacy, and shelter. They focus on protecting migrant workers’ rights and abuses for better policies (Tenaganita, n.d.-d).

22. What does Tenaganita do for refugees?

Tenaganita provides legal aid, psychosocial support, and intervention for refugees facing human rights, civil rights, and gender-based violence (Tenaganita, n.d.-c).

Individual Reflection

Short Summary

Studying Tenaganita has helped me understand the struggles migrant workers, refugees, and women face in Malaysia. I am amazed by how a small band of committed activists has become a national voice for the voiceless. Their work is linked with many of the Sustainable Development Goals and illustrates the power of grassroots activism. This research has awakened me to issues of social justice and has challenged me to think of what I can do to help society become a just and equitable society.

References

1. Asia Thinkers. (n.d.). Tenaganita: Protecting & promoting the rights of women, migrants & refugees in Malaysia.

Retrieved July 3, 2025, from https://asiathinkers.com/tenaganita-protecting-promoting-rights-of-women-migrants-refugees-in-malaysia-interview-with-glorene-a-das-executive-director-tenanagita-womens-force/

2. Hati.my.. (n.d.). Tenaganita. Retrieved July 3, 2025, from https://www.hati.my/tenaganita/

3. Sinar Daily. (2023, November 24). Tenaganita delves deep into human trafficking issues in its newly launched book. Retrieved from

https://www.sinardaily.my/article/213074/focus/national/tenaganita-delves-deep-into-human-trafficking-issues-in-its-newly-launched-book

4. Tanma Federation. (n.d.). TANMA Federation official site. Retrieved July 3, 2025, from

https://www.tanmafederation.org/

5. Tenaganita. (n.d.-a). Our story. Retrieved July 3, 2025, from

https://tenaganita.net/our-story/

6. Tenaganita. (n.d.-b). Anti-trafficking in persons. Retrieved

July 3, 2025, from https://tenaganita.net/anti-trafficking-in-persons