Feminization of

Philippine Migration: A
century Hence

Daos, Bernadette
Verceles, Carla Joy

The reporters aim to discuss the

meaning of Feminization and how
it was developed in the Philippine
context during the time when
migration became increasingly
feminizedwhere more women
were taking employment as
domestic workers, entertainers,
and contract workers overseas.

 Methodology
The reporters will provide a historical
background and explanation of migration
patterns in the Philippines; examine the
feminization of migration; and introduce
the significance of these changes.

 Introduction

 Women as someone who is weak and should stay

home and tend for her family has changed over the
past few years.
Feminization of migrationwas termed as a recent
trend in whichgenderedpatterns are changing to a
higher rate of women migratingfor labor or marriage
than men. ~Philippine labor migration

 Background
Two factors which resulted to the increase of
Female migrant workers according to POEA
(1) Sustained demand from countries all over the
world for their skills, particularly those related to
domestic work, club entertainment and care
giving.
(2) Inability of the local economy to generate
enough jobs and adequate income for women.
1980s to 1990s , The feminization of migration in
the Philippines came about in as women in Hong
Kong and Singapore started joining the workforce
and needed foreign household workers to help in
housekeeping and child-rearing.

 Countries where there are more

Filipina OFWs
1991- 40.6%
1992- 51%
1993-1995- 60%
2010-2012
ASIA- 72%
EUROPE-11%
AMERICA-8%
Others- 9%
There are a total of 320,279
Deployed Land-based OFWs and
185,602 are female. ~ POEA

Hong Kong, Singapore,

Japan, Malaysia, Taiwan,
Britain, Spain and Italy

 Top 5 occupation where

women dominates men

 Filipina workers are empowered to go abroad

because of the reason that aside from Filipino men
providing for their family, they are able to earn for
their family as well. However, leaving their family
behind is a painful experience. (Parrenas, 2001)
A study made by Episcopal Commission for the
Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People
together with Apostleship of the Sea - Manila said
that Filipino children preferred their fathers to
migrate rather than their mothers because it makes
a lot of difference in their households when their
mothers are abroad which can also have an impact of
the country of origin.

 Impact to Family Life

Migration of females changed the
dynamics and strategies in their
households
Children of female migrants are
more affected
Behavioral problems
Materialistic

 Impact on Countries of
Origin
Remittances (Positive)
Brain drain
State of the families left behind, social
conflicts

 Problems Female OFW

experience
Female workers are prone to
abuses and maltreatment
They are more vulnerable than
men
The nature of their jobs is
individualized work
environment

 NGOs that assists women

Coalition Against Trafficking in Women Asia-Pacific (CATWAP)

ATIKHA Overseas Workers and
Communities Initiative
Batis Center for Women

Coalition Against Trafficking

in Women - Asia-Pacific
They initiate programs to
promote women's human rights
and assists victims of trafficking,
prostitution and all forms of
violence against women in the
Asia-Pacific region.

ATIKHA Overseas Workers

and Communities Initiative
They provide economic and social
services to overseas Filipino workers
and their families in the Philippines.
The organization aims to help address
the social cost of migration and tap
the development potential of
migration

Batis Center for Women

They provides the needs of distressed
overseas Filipina workers by:
Legally assisting exploited
migrant women
Helping fight gender oppression,
trafficking, violence and other
human rights violation against
migrant women.
Influence the government to
enact laws that would protect the
rights of migrant women and their
families.

 Analysis
The international community has
developed a market, which in turn
has created opportunities for
Filipinas to work abroad and the
women, who are working as
domestic labourers, are entering into
job positions that can be seen as
unskilled and thus are undervalued.

Analysis
Through economic opportunities
abroad, women are able to financially
support their families through which
they gain a sense of empowerment.
However, Feminization of migration has
led to many challenges and changes
within the Filipino family.

Analysis
Though, not everyone share the same
perspective on this issue, its negative
impact applies on the Cultural and
traditional norms of Filipino society,
womens migration and their entry into
the position of primary breadwinner;
conflicts with their prescribed roles in
society generates new conflict and
challenges within the familys dynamics.

 Conclusion
Therefore, the researchers conclude
that the challenges brought about by
international migration to the
Philippines are multi-faceted. This
phenomenon has proved that women
can go beyond the stereotype of being
a person who should just stay at home
and cater housekeeping services for
the family.

Conclusion
The norms in the Philippines are now
switching to a scenario wherein women can
assume the responsibilities of men as
breadwinners of their families. Despite all
the norms and risks faced by Filipina
migrant workers, they are more
empowered to go abroad and work for their
family as they are the center for protection
mandated by international laws around the
world.

Conclusion
Psychologically, it is hard for both
migrants and their families to be apart
and it is just right that government
agencies such as POEA help these
migrant workers in fighting for their rights
not only as workers but as humans as
well. Seeing that Migration is inevitable, it
is very important to follow-up and study
the cases of our fellow Filipinos overseas.

Conclusion
Through this kind of practice, our
government will be able to update the
laws protecting our very own Filipino
citizens overseas and at the same
time be able to document learn from
the stories which challenges the
culture of our nation.