Some 1.13 million Filipino women abroad are victims of exploitation and prostitution, according to a report by the United Nations.
The United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) asserted that such circumstances affecting Filipino women abroad often lead to human trafficking.
“They are primarily engaged in unskilled and low-paid jobs and are separated from their families and children for long periods of time,” the report published by CEDAW stated.
The CEDAW also called for a strengthening of the legal protection of Filipino women working overseas and to prosecute those who would abuse or exploit them.
The committee asked the Philippines to ensure that women human rights defenders and journalists are enjoined to participate in the campaign.
The committee also plans to raise further awareness of women overseas workers about their rights.
The UN took note of the “red-tagging” of Nobel Prize laureate Maria Ressa, which resulted in intimidation, hate speech, threats, physical assault, harassment, arrest, and detention.
“The Committee asked the Philippines to ensure that women human rights defenders and journalists, including Maria Ressa, and those advocating for land rights, environmental protection, indigenous women’s rights, and rural women’s rights, can exercise their rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, and association without harassment, surveillance, or undue restriction,” the CEDAW said.
Last month, seven Filipino women were reportedly rescued in Kuala Lumpur from alleged human trafficking.
The women, aged 25 to 33, were allegedly forced to work at nightspots in Kuala Lumpur.
The UN committee’s reports focused on women’s issues in several other countries, including Albania, Bhutan, France, Guatemala, Jamaica, Malawi, Nicaragua, and Uruguay during its latest session.