Editorial

by ERNESTO T. SOLIDUM

Women Empowerment Must Consider 

Family Values

International Women’s month is celebrated every March of each year. Women advocates such as Gender Advocacy for Development (GAD) and Violence Against Women and Children (VAW-C) were invited guests during Kapihan sa Aklan Forum. Both groups arose early at dawn to engage in a fun run from the Provincial Capitol grounds to Pastrana park.

“Juana, Ang Tatag Mo Ay Tatag Natin sa Pagbangon At Pagsulong”, is this year’s theme. Guests are Ms. Evangeline Gallega, Prov’l. Social Welfare and Development Officer, Ms. Jesebel Vidal, Prov’l Planning Officer, Ms. Vivian Ruiz Solano, Prov’l Employment Service Office, Police Sr. Insp. Aileen Rondario – PNP and Atty. Flosemer Gonzales, Provincial Prosecutor’s Office. 

Ms. Vidal cited women’s traditional role as “Ilaw ng Tahanan” but expanded in modern times beyond the home to engage in community work. Women must be recognized for their active participation in socio-economic development. Thanks to the collaboration and commitment of Government Organizations and Non Government Organizations in promoting women’s welfare, underscored Ms. Vidal.

The assurance of promoting women in distress through the “Daeangpan it mga Kababayen-an” stands as a beacon to those battered and marginalized sector. Ms. Gallega said that the facility is accessible and open 24/7 where counseling and or debriefing are given to clients by trained social workers. 

Ms. Ruiz has announced a job fair scheduled on March 10 to be held in coordination with private companies based locally and abroad. NBI clearance normally secured in Iloilo City could be expedited provided they open NBI website for prior appointment and know the required documents. 

For women and children who are victims of violence and sexual exploitation, Atty. Gonzales urged them to report the matter to the nearest Police Station. RA 7610 or Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act prohibits older and unrelated persons in the company of a minor child seen in public places like bars or saloons. Violence between spouses or live in partners is covered by RA 9262 where neighbors witnessing the event could call the police. Depending upon the circumstances, worse scenario could be criminal prosecution and not mediation. 

Women trafficking is covered by RA 10364 where national data is 500,000 victims of prostitution, one-fifth of them children. Global trafficking in Persons defines trafficking as the recruitment, harboring, transporting, provision of a person for the purpose of a commercial sex act. The Philippines is tagged as one of child cyber pornography hubs, rampant in Metro Manila, Cebu, Davao and other key cities.

Women has gone a long way since 1937 when the fair sex was allowed to vote. Women right permeated the civil movement in the 1960’s and empowerment in the 1990’s. This was notably marked by women engage in politics, business, education, welfare and in all work places traditionally dominated by men. However, women has never equaled men in status because the former has to take other responsibility as caring for the children and home while the latter has unfettered role as family provider. 

While annual GDP of the country is spectacular 6.3 percent in 2011, 7.3 percent in 2012 and 7.2 percent in 2013, these had not filtered down to the grassroots. It is not an inclusive growth sine unemployment is 7.5 percent or 3.5 million. Some 20 percent or 8 million are under employed. Industrial growth is sclerotic while 70 percent of the economy is consumption-driven.

This prompts Pinoys to leave the country at 3000 daily in desperate search for jobs and better opportunities. Of this number, 95 percent are domestic helpers who are euphemistically labeled as modern day heroes. Not bad for the 10 million OFWs scattered in 200 countries of the world because they send annual remittances of $22.8 billion, enough to keep the country afloat.

The 10 million OFWs practically represent 10 million households which have invariably relinquished their parental responsibility to their kids, either spouse, or family members like grandma, sister and brother. We only reap what we plant. In the early 1970’s juvenile delinquency or teenage hooliganism, drug abuse and family break up were seldom heared. Today, reported cases are skyrocketing despite pertinent laws as RA 7165 or Comprehensive Drugs Act, RA 9775 or Anti Child Porn Law. Family break ups are common in almost all barangays. While OFWs are serving diligently and well their employees, it is causing erosion to the love and respect of other countries to the Filipino nation.

Filipino policy makers must learn from Indonesia, also developing country like us which regulates the sending of her laborers abroad especially domestic helpers. Certain requirements must be met like labor contract, paid up plane ticket round trip, health/accident insurance and immigration visa kept by the employee rather than the employer. Furthermore, overseas employment is prioritized to highly skilled professionals, while domestic helpers are gradually phased out. The contract must include provisions which will maintain and promote Filipino integrity and enhance mutual respect. 

Ms. Solano justified the national trend in favor of DH since it is the only employment status open in the international jobs market led by the Middle East, Hongkong, Singapore and Kuala Lumpur.

This notion that migrant women workers are empowered and financially capable is hollow and ephemeral. Empowerment is defined by strength and decision to choose different alternatives. Basically, majority of our OFWs are desperate for jobs that they will do anything just to earn money. It is for this reason that they fall victims to physical harassment and sexual exploitation. 

Family values come into light. One may be financially successful but if the family is broken, one is simply finished. When a wife or husband left him/her for another lover, he/she is completely finished. If an unwedded teenage daughter is pregnant, she is devastated. 

Time to reflect on Asean innovative leaders like Pres. Park of South Korea, Prime Minister Lee of Singapore, Dr. Sun Yat Sen of Taiwan and Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad of Malaysia. One thing common among them is: they have a dream. Sad to say, in the Philippines it’s the refrain of a song, “Que sera, sera or what will be, will be, the future is not ours to say. /MP