The Filipino Women’s Association UK is hosting an event on 7th March 2023 to celebrate International Women’s Day at the Khalili Lecture Theatre at SOAS University of London.
The theme of the evening is “Constructing the Filipino Woman in Britain: Towards Agency and Empowerment” and will be held in partnership with the Philippine Studies at SOAS and the Kanlungan Filipino Consortium.
The wide-ranging discussion looks at the various ways the Filipino woman in the UK has been constructed through the years — from mail order brides, domestic workers, caregivers to NHS essential workers. The discussion hopes to go beyond these social constructs and at the same time address current challenges — from human trafficking, domestic violence, or workforce stereotyping.
The goal of the event is to support the Filipino community in the UK by providing information and resources to empower Filipino women to break these social constructs and exercise their rights. Attendees will have the opportunity to engage in a dialogue and will be invited to discuss the status of Filipino women in the country today, including the challenges they face in terms of employment, education, and healthcare.
In celebration of International Women’s Day, this event is sponsored by the Filipino Women’s Association – UK. The FWA-UK was established on 28th April 1988 in response to the portrayal by the UK media of Filipino Women as nothing more than just ‘mail-order brides’. This negative image of Filipinas was brought to the attention of Mrs Angeles ‘Nene’ Quimson, (wife of the then Philippine Ambassador to the Court of St. James’s, John T. Quimson). She invited women from varied backgrounds and professions with the single purpose of raising the profile of Filipino women in the United Kingdom. Over the years, the association has grown to become a leading voice for Filipino women in the country. The FWA-UK is committed to making a difference in the lives of Filipino youth and promoting the rights and welfare of the Filipino community in the UK, especially the elderly and vulnerable.
This event is also co-sponsored by Kanlungan Filipino Consortium, a registered charity working to empower Filipino and ESEA migrants across the UK.
Click here to register for the event.
