The Department of Journalism of the University of the Philippines, along with Spotlight Initiative of United Nations (UN) Women, hosted an online webinar for journalists that discussed gender-based violence experienced by Filipino women migrants.

 

The online training was held via Zoom on Monday, November 16, 9 AM until noon and on Tuesday, November 17, 9 AM until noon. The panel featured experts on migration and gender, as well as journalists who had written issues that were faced by women migrants, also called Overseas Filipino Workers or OFWs. 

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The speakers for the Monday webinar are Ms. Charisse Jordan, National Project Office, UN Women Philippines, Mr. Pichit Phromkade, Communications Officer of the Safe and Fair Programme, Ms. Rhoda Albano of Center for Migrants Advocacy, Ms. Diana Mendoza, editor and managing partner of Women Writing Women and Dr. Diosa Labiste, Associate Professor, Department of Journalism, University of the Philippines – Diliman. 

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The Tuesday webinar was led by Assistant Prof. Lucia P. Tangi, Chairperson of UP Department of Journalism. A photo essay on Women Migrants Survivor of Violence and Abuse was also shown by the Vice President of the Photojournalists Center of the Philippines, Jimmy Domingo. Atty. Daisy Mandap of The Sun Hong Kong discussed covering the abuse of Filipino workers in Hong Kong, while Janvic Mateo of Philippine Star discussed the victims of abuse in the Middle East.

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Campus journalists from the City of Malabon University also presented their works about violence against women migrants. Erwin Vicentino, Angelo Sanchez, and Eli San Miguel presented their work “Forever Lover or Forever Abused?: Mail ordered brides in the Digital Age”. Kyle A. Santiago, Deus Albert, and Angel Joy Flores presented “Gone or Going? Filipino Women Entertainers in Japan.”

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From the 40 journalists and campus journalists from all over the nation who joined the webinar, the whole iCommunicate XVIII: Hiraya editorial board is one of the participants; led by its Editor-in-Chief, John Archie Balmes.

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According to the latest survey conducted by the Philippine Statistics Authority, women migrant workers make up 55.8% of the 2.3 million OFWs. Compared to their male counterparts, women migrant workers tend to be younger with their working-age ranging from 25-34. 

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Choosing to work abroad should be a right, therefore there’s a need to ensure that there is a strong protective mechanism in place. The Philippine government has the capacity to discuss with the receiving countries that the employers should not commit any mistreatment and harm against Filipino women migrant workers. And that the OFWs, especially women and domestic workers, are treated with dignity.

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The challenge is how to promote a positive portrayal of women migrant workers, while still highlighting the accountability of authorities, and the need to improve programs and support services for women migrant workers. Media should help the public better understand the complex migration story. Journalism of care is journalism that incorporates in its ethical foundation that is bound with feminist values inherent to the ethics of care.