LONDON - Filipino women comprise a big chunk of the Diaspora of hundreds of thousands of Filipinos who are forced to work abroad to find better opportunities for themselves and their children.

Recently in the United Kingdom, their views were heard. Women representing various organizations requested for more support for migrant Filipino women and pushed for women empowerment through education.
 
In a dialogue with Senator Pia Cayetano at the Philippine Embassy in London, women from Batangas Association, Aguman Kapampangan, Philjury, Filipino Women’s Association Ladies for Rizal, Bicol Association, e-Learning group, Intercultural Society, Alpha Phi Omega Sorority, and UP Alumni Association, among others, also discussed with the senator the role of women in development and community organizing.  

Cayetano was in London after attending the 121st Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) from October 19-21 in Geneva, Switzerland in her official capacity as President of the IPU Coordinating Committee of Women Parliamentarians.  

“I’m always honored to be with empowered women and men who support empowered women,” said Cayetano in her opening speech.

Women who attended the informal meeting and dialogue acknowledged that Filipino mothers migrate abroad and carry the burden of years of separation from their children and families, often enduring emotional and psychological trauma.  

“Kailangan harapin na natin na marami ng ang pamilya ngayon na di na tulad ng pamilya noon-- walang nanay o di kaya walang tatay and these families have to adjust. Lumalaki ang bata na walang nanay at natututo silang humarap sa mga problema na dati hinaharap ng mga magulang nila,” said Cayetano.

“Dapat po talaga may isa ring (government) organisasyon na mag-aalalay  o magbibigay ng advise sa mga naiiwanan namin doon lalo na po ma-realize din nila kung ano ang mga dinanas namin dito,” said Adelina Duenas who represented women from the domestic sector.
 
Cayetano promised to work on the improvement of the conditions of the migrant workers who are making considerable sacrifices to ensure the survival of their families back home.  

“Ang gusto ko sana ay bago sila umalis ng bansa alam nila ano yung papasukan nila: number of hours at work, ano ang wages na makukuha nila. Kalahati ng problema nila ay iniiwan nila ang pamilya back home which is something na ngayon di pa natin nabibigyan ng pansin,” said Cayetano.

Empowerment through education
Some women shared their views on how continuous education can help elevate their status in their adoptive country, and eventually usher in women empowerment.

Drawing from her own experience as a migrant worker, Chloris Flint said it was hard work coupled with perseverance that made her achieve her goal.

Looking for greener pastures, she worked as a financial analyst in Nigeria in 1984 and then moved to the UK to work as an accounts clerk for British Rail.

While working on a full-time job, she also completed a degree. Now she is head of Group Tax for Harrods Department Store, London’s premiere retail outlet, known for luxury brands.   

“If everyone of us had a goal, it will be hard work but once you achieve the goal, it will be a lot better. Filipinas are highly intelligent people and really hard working. We have integrity and we are focused,” said Flint.   

She believes Filipinas in the domestic sector who left the Philippines with valuable degrees are hard working and competitive. They just need a qualification from a UK university to be recognized in their fields.
 
“They can choose to study during their day off or in the evening. When I was studying accountancy, I had a child, a baby and I was also working full time,” she said.  

Working as a DH, Cora Carsola also believes that domestic workers in the UK should aspire to educate themselves not only for personal but also for professional growth and should they decide to go back to their former jobs, they will be equipped.

“Kailangan continues education kasi we came here as professionals—mga teachers, nurses, dentist, social workers. So hindi tayo dapat nag-e-end lang doon,” Carsola said.

Carsola worked as a domestic helper in Hong Kong for 23 years. Before that, she was a teacher at Notre Dame of Manila for 10 years. Only five months in the UK, she feels the pangs of loneliness.

“Sa Hong Kong kasi napakadali in one hour and 45 minutes nandun na. But here, ang layo. Kailangan kang magbilang ng taon and money-wise mahal na ang pamasahe,” she said.  

Carsola wants to retire in the Philippines and go back to teaching. Meantime, she pines to see her loved ones back home.

This, they say, is the fate of many working mothers in the UK, especially those working in the domestic and household sector. They care for the children of others and while their employers pursue their chosen career to the highest level, they abandon they own.  

Strength in Community organizing
Women groups also agreed that working together for a common cause will empower them.

For her part, Cayetano promised to work on a ‘reorientation program’ focusing on providing support network for a changing family unit left by the OFWs in the Philippines.  

“Kailangan may reorientation tayo at sana yung community natin, yung DSWD, church must really chip in to address this problem because it will not resolve on its own because this is something new na nangyari lang in the last few decades,”  Cayetano said.