Gender and Migration: Focus on Filipino Women in International Labor Migration

Abstract

The Philippines is one of three countries in Asia where women comprise the majority of migrant workers. The problems of overseas employment, particularly of females, had been the subject of much research as well as of legislation and other forms of government action, not to mention NGO efforts and initiatives. Recent research has focused on the factors behind female migration, particularly the role of the family in decisions to work abroad , working and living conditions of women migrant workers and the consequences of female migration to husband and children who are left behind as well as to the migrant worker herself. Among the research gaps that have been identified are: the health consequences of migration, return migration and the reintegration of women migrant workers; the impact of migration on married vs. unmarried women. The links between migration and other demographic phenomena such as family formation, inhibition of fertility, etc. should be more closely examined, and indicators developed or tested to measure the conditions of migrant workers to help monitor their situation and provide protection. There is also a need for long-term researches and alternative approaches to study the development of the phenomena and the role of the family in various phases of migration.