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Thursday, 10 July 2008: 1:35 PM
Learning Objective 1: have an increased awareness on the plight and conditions of domestic helpers in the Philippines, including their empowerment and gender views.
Learning Objective 2: to verbalize implications of training programs and issues for the improvement of women empowerment and women’s health.
This study explores the empowerment and gender views of female domestic helpers in Metro Manila, Philippines. The study interviewed 36 single, young migrant women who work as domestic helpers in middle to upper class subdivisions and involved in a training program at a social center. Empowerment in the aspect of labor rights knowledge, access to social network, decision-making ability, self-esteem and sense of fulfillment were examined. Furthermore, the study explored respondents' perception of gender roles, stereotypes and gender inequalities in their families and in the household they serve. The findings showed how their involvement in the religious-based social center has affected their well-being and empowerment as women. The women achieved a certain degree of empowerment since migrating to Metro Manila and being involved in the training programs. Most women were aware of their rights as domestic helpers but it has not eliminated incidences of rights violations. Although they claim to have some degree of autonomy, a significant portion of women are still influenced by their families' decisions and circumstance. There was also a noted improvement in their self-esteem and self-fulfillment as reported by respondents. Findings also showed that women hold traditional perception of gender roles and stereotypes. They are unaware of gender inequalities in their families and in the households that they serve. The lack of consciousness of gender inequalities have lead them to justify the disparities particularly in wages and hours of work between female and male employees. Implications to improve women empowerment, gender views and over all health of this group of women are highlighted based on the evidences derived from this study. It is crucial that programs concerned with education, skills training and upliftment of the status of migrant women, such as domestic helpers, should include training and gender-sensitivity assertiveness and other life skills that promote empowerment.
See more of: Quality of Life in Women's Health
See more of: Research Sessions – Oral Paper & Posters
See more of: Research Sessions – Oral Paper & Posters