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PHL WOMEN’S RIGHTS REPRESENTATIVE DISCUSSES WOMEN IN MIGRATION WITH FILIPINOS IN MADRID

27 May 2015 – Professor Aurora Javate de Dios gave a lecture on Women in Migration yesterday to members of the Filipino community in Madrid on May 25.  

Professor de Dios is the Women’s Rights Representative of the Philippines to the ASEAN Commission on the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Women and Children.  She is currently the Executive Director of the Women and Gender Institute at Miriam College in the Philippines.  

Professor de Dios discussed challenges that Filipinas face as they migrate to other countries in search of work and the Philippine Government’s continuing efforts to mitigate the social costs of migration while harnessing its benefits. The Professor called on her audience to strengthen their support system by way of organizing themselves and establishing linkages with non-government organizations in Spain.

During the lecture, representatives of women’s organizations in Madrid shared their experiences in integrating into Spanish society and networking with Spanish authorities and NGOs.  Some participants expressed appreciation for the lecture, saying that reflected their personal experience and situation.

The lecture was conducted as one of the Embassy’s Gender and Development activities for 2015.

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PHL EMBASSY IN MADRID RAISES AWARENESS ON ANTI-TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS

26 May 2015 – The Philippine Embassy in Madrid conducted an Echo Training on Anti-Trafficking in Persons (TIP) to further strengthen the Embassy’s efforts in combating human trafficking.  The training follows through on the Regional Workshop on Anti-Trafficking in Persons for Foreign Service Posts in Europe conducted by the Department of Foreign Affairs from March 16 to 20 in Vienna, Austria.

The training was divided into four parts and was held on March 25, April 08, April 15 and May 20.

It included case studies and simulation exercises to enhance the skills of participants in identifying and addressing potential TIP cases. The training also provided participants with situationers on TIP in Spain and Europe.

To signify their commitment, the participants pledged against TIP and crafted a Plan of Action which identified the gaps and challenges in the fight against TIP, best practices in addressing TIP cases and key performance indicators to further improve the delivery of services against human trafficking. 

The Embassy intends to conduct similar trainings to Filipino communities in Spain and Andorra. The training forms part of the Embassy´s Gender and Development activities for 2015.