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RHAPSODY. Reproductive Health and Human Rights Advocacy, Protection and Services for Overseas Domestic Workers . The Overseas Filipino Workers. Local Context: diminishing job opportunities in the country Global Context: large scale migration since 1970s
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RHAPSODY Reproductive Health and Human Rights Advocacy, Protection and Services for Overseas Domestic Workers
The Overseas Filipino Workers • Local Context: diminishing job opportunities in the country • Global Context: large scale migration since 1970s • 1997-2006: phenomenal rise in the number of OFWs (2.9 M in 1997 to 3.8M in 2006)
The Ten Categories of OFWs(from the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration or POEA) • Domestic Helpers and related Household Workers • Production and Related Workers • Caregivers and Caretakers • Service Workers • Waiters, Bartenders and Related Workers • Plumbers and Pipe Filters • Nurses Professional • Laborers/Helpers General • Wiremen Electrical • Charworkers, Cleaners and Related Workers
Domestic Workers • They comprise the biggest group (32.6% in 2007) • Hong Kong has consistently been the top destination • 2000 to 2007: Hong Kong was the destination of 21% to 46% of deployed domestic workers • In Hong Kong, domestic workers comprise 99.7% of OFWs
Top Sources of Domestic Workers • Luzon • Benguet • Pangasinan • Pampanga • Visayas • Bohol, Cebu, Negros Occidental • Mindanao • Davao Del Sur, Misamis Oriental, Zamboanga del Sur
Feminization of Migration • Women form half of the migrant workers worldwide (CARAM Asia, 2005) • In the Philippines, women migrant workers comprise 67% of the total OFWs in 2007 • Demand for domestic workers in developed countries • Domestic workers: child care, elderly care, household keeping
Economic and Social Benefit of Labor Migration • Government: huge amount of remittances (USD 87.64B from 1995 to 2006) • OFWs and families: bigger income, better standard of living, good education for children • Women: greater decision-making power, strong bargaining position, sense of autonomy, feeling of freedom from cultural norms
Social Cost of Labor MigrationON THE MIGRANTS • Poor living conditions • Poor working conditions • Pressure from adjustment • Loneliness and sexual needs • Absence of social support
Social Cost of Labor MigrationON THE MIGRANTS • Psychosomatic problems: headaches, sleeping problem, anxiety • Mental health problems: adjustment disorder • Occupational health problems: work-induced illnesses such as lower back pain, falls, burns • Abuse: verbal, physical, sexual, psychological
Sexual and Reproductive Health Problems of Migrant Workers • Menstrual disorders • Genito-urinary tract infection • Fertility/infertility-related problems, including unwanted pregnancy • Fibroid, low back pain, abdominal pain • Loneliness and isolation, short sexual relationship that expose them to STIs, HIV and AIDS
Problems regarding health care access • Undocumented migrants • Lack of medical insurance from host country • Employee restriction • Too expensive • Language barrier • Uncomfortable with male doctors • Prescription needed • Abortion
Social Cost of Labor Migration ON THE FAMILIES LEFT BEHIND • Positive Consequence • Big income: bigger and beautiful houses, good schools for children, modern household appliances, high tech gadgets • Negative consequence • Separation: loneliness, isolation, financial difficulties
Situation of Children Left BehindHearts Apart (Scalabrini Center, 2004) • Children are aware of labor migration and its economic/material benefits • Children prefer their father to migrate • Left-behind parents and extended family assume but do not replace mother in children’s life • Exposure to non-traditional gender roles • Emotional displacement esp. during adolescence
Migration of parents is difficult:(Other Studies) • Children long for parental care • Young girls assume the burden of providing care for the family • Children get confused over the reversal of gender roles • They develop a consumerist attitude • They are vulnerable to abuses
Addressing Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights Problems in Labor Migration through RHAPSODY
For the Migrant Workers in Hong Kong providing sexual and reproductive health and rights information and education
For the Migrant Workers in Hong Kong Access to services through partnership with the Family Planning Association of Hong Kong
For the Migrant Workers in Hong Kong Provision of other services such as counseling by other partners in Hong Kong
For the Families in the Philippines Education and information campaign
For the Families in the Philippines Formation of peer group “counseling” or peer facilitators’ group
For the Families in the Philippines Organizing of husbands
For the Families in the Philippines Provision of direct services on sexual and reproductive health and rights
For the Families in the Philippines Other services that may be provided by partner organizations • Group counseling • Legal services
Partnership, an essential element • National and regional government agencies: OWWA, DSWD • Municipal/City and Barangay Local Government Units • National and International Non-government organizations • Schools
Sample IEC material 2010 Calendar-Comics titled Ang Paglalakbay • With information on sexual and reproductive health and rights