The University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU) Office of Gender Concerns (OGC) conducted a webinar titled Agenda ng Kababaihan, Tungo sa Kaunlaran: Filipino Women Overseas Workers in France Women’s Forum on 7 April 2022.
The event was organized in coordination with the Social Work and Women Development academic programs of the UPOU Faculty of Management and Development Studies (FMDS). It aimed to have a women’s forum that endeavors to bring women and girls towards a collective agenda of empowerment and equality.
The webinar was conducted in line with the 2022 National Women’s Month banner theme, “We Make Change Work for Women,” and with the global multi-generational campaign of UN Women, “Generation Equality: Realizing Women’s Rights for an Equal Future.”
Ms. Therese Mae C. Aviles-Debayle, the resource speaker of the webinar titled Agenda ng Kababaihan, Tungo sa Kaunlaran: Filipino Women Overseas Workers in France Women’s Forum.
Ms. Therese Mae C. Aviles-Debayle, a registered social worker, a graduate of a Bachelor of Science in Social Work degree at the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila, and a student of Master in Social Work at UPOU, was the resource speaker. Ms. Gelyzza Marie Diaz of the OGC served as the host.
Dr. Finaflor F. Taylan, Director of OGC and Program Chair of the Diploma/Master of Social Work and the Diploma in Women and Development programs, formally opened the webinar and welcomed the participants. Dr. Taylan shared that she would like to further expand the discussion not just by and of women in the country, but also on the plight of women working and living abroad. She mentioned that the webinar should give the participants an idea on the lives, experiences and journeys of women in their communities. She hoped that everyone can learn not just from their experiences of living and working abroad, but also from their initiatives in creating a supportive environment.
Ms. Aviles-Debayle started by sharing the facts and challenges of Filipino women overseas workers in France, where she is currently based. Among the challenges she mentioned included adjusting to a different culture, language, food, beliefs, and norms and physically adapting with the seasons and way of life. She added that she had a hard time looking for a job related to her expertise since a specific diploma is required for every available role.
Ms. Aviles-Debayle also discussed the various family support and maternity benefits that regular employees are entitled to receive from the French government. She shared that despite these benefits, the life of OFWs abroad is not easy. She admitted that being far from her family and the life she used to have is difficult both emotionally and physically.
Ms. Aviles-Debayle ended her talk by reminding everyone that it is important to hear the side of the OFWs. She specified the need for support, particularly maternity benefits and family support, and reliable system and policies from the government.
The presentation was followed by a Q&A session, where concerns on situation of women without permanent contract, discrimination, stereotypes, gender inequality, and taxes, among others, were discussed.
Dr. Finaflor F. Taylan, Director of the Office of Gender Concerns, during a discussion in the webinar titled Agenda ng Kababaihan, Tungo sa Kaunlaran: Filipino Women Overseas Workers in France Women’s Forum.
Dr. Taylan closed the webinar by giving a comprehensive synthesis on the points discussed and by sharing her insights on the issues and concerns tackled in the forum. She mentioned that as a teacher and as part of the academe, she is interested in looking and matching the professional standards, academic qualification and curriculum for the social work program in other countries. She’s inspired in creating social protection structures and programs for OFWs since, as Filipinos, they are entitled for such support and benefits. She emphasized the need for a support and advocacy group for Filipinos working and living abroad and encouraged them to start creating one. She reminded the participants that “hindi tayo babae lamang, kundi babae tayo.”
The webinar can be viewed on the UPOU Facebook page and UPOU Networks website.
Sustainable Development Goals
Written by Jaime P. Guimbao
Edited by Myra C. Almodiel and Anna Cañas-Llamas
#UPOpenUniversity
