On the evening of 7th March 2023, the Khalili Lecture Theatre in SOAS University, London was the venue for the International Women’s Day celebration hosted by the Filipino Women’s Association UK (FWA-UK). The event was held in partnership with the Philippine Studies at SOAS and the Kanlungan Filipino Consortium, and the theme of the evening was “Constructing the Filipino Woman in Britain: Towards Agency and Empowerment.”
Historical and Current Social Constructs
The discussion centred on the various ways the Filipino woman in the UK has been constructed throughout the years. From mail order brides, domestic workers, caregivers, and NHS essential workers, the speakers hoped to go beyond these social constructs and address current challenges such as human trafficking, domestic violence, or workforce stereotyping.
The goal of the event was to empower Filipino women by providing information and resources to help them break free from these social constructs and exercise their rights. Attendees had the opportunity to engage in a dialogue and discuss the status of Filipino women in the country today, including the challenges they face in terms of employment, education, and healthcare.
The programme began with registration at 18:30, followed by the welcome remarks of Crystal Dias, the moderator and FWA-UK Vice-Chairman for Internal Affairs. Dr. Remy Reyes, FWA-UK Founding Chairman, then shared the origin and challenges of the FWA-UK, and Dr. Cristina Juan from the SOAS University talked about the historical and cultural identity of Filipino women.
Addressing Challenges and Providing Resources: Human trafficking, domestic violence, and workforce stereotypes
Lalaine Garcia, a domestic violence survivor, shared her heart-wrenching, yet brave story about the topic. Her emotionally gripping record moved the audience to tears. Nina Rivera talked about the campaign for Filipino migrant rights by the Kanlungan Filipino Consortium. Loralie Canale of Rise Research Ltd showcased her film “Chasing Dreams,” which featured a documentary about a Filipina in the UK who dared to dream.
Attendee Engagement: Dialogue and discussion
The event culminated in an audience discussion, where attendees shared their thoughts and opinions on the topics discussed. Finally, Dulia Prado, FWA-UK Chairman, gave her uplifting closing remarks, followed by networking and the close of the event.
Overall, the event was a success, and the attendees left with a better understanding of the issues faced by Filipino women in the UK and the resources available to help them break free from social constructs and exercise their rights. The FWA-UK hopes to continue providing support to the Filipino community in the UK and empower Filipino women to become agents of change.