PHL holds training on violence vs. women migrants in Nigeria

More than 40 participants participated in the Philippine Embassy in Abuja's training seminar on violence against women migrant workers.   In a news release, thet Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said the "Training on Violence Against Women Migrants" was attended by 44 participants, 51 percent were women including overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).   The seminar was conducted in collaboration with the Nigerian Federal Ministry of Labor and Productivity (FML&P) and the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development (MWSAD).   FML&P Special Assistant to the Permanent Secretary Dr. Martina Nwordu discussed the following topics:

• migration issues in Nigeria
• gender inequalities in labor migration
• role of the FML&P in protecting women migrant workers against violence
• the FML&P's mandate, institutional arrangement, and
• gender responsive functions.

"Nwordu mentioned that women are more exposed to exploitation than men. Thus, women should know more about their rights.  Female migrant workers lack information and protection to enable them to protest when work offenses occur. They are easily intimated and unable to exercise their rights for fear of job loss or deportation," the DFA said.   Nwordu said labor bilateral partnerships "should be subject to regular reviews, with injection of new laws and strengthening of institutions, policies and programs on labor migration administration to protect migrant workers."   MWASD Chief Women Development Officer Mary Isong represented the Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development Hajiya Zainab Maina who was out of the country.   "This program could not have been organized at a better time than now as the global community celebrates the '16 Days of Activism' from 25 November (International Day of Violence against Women) to 10 December 2011 (International Human Rights Day). Thousands of Nigerians have helped to increase awareness of abuse and build support for victims and survivors of abuse. The theme of the campaign, 'From Peace in the Home to Peace in the World: Let's Challenge Militarism and End Violence against Women!' provides an opportunity to direct attention to all aspects of violence against women," Maina said in her message read by Isong. - VVP, GMA News