After a long day of classes I came back to my room and decided to check my gmail before I wrote my post. I was astonished to find a forward that my mother had sent me – it was titled “She Cries out From the Philippines”. The first line when you open the email is a quote:
"I want to show the world that Filipina women are not servants
of the world but are servants of peace and freedom."
-Malayapinas, World Pulse "Voices of Our Future" Correspondent
It goes on to talk about Malayapinas and how she is working hard to become a leader to help her country (especially in the aftermath of the 57 women and journalists massacare that took place just days ago). It was interesting though to read the description they give of her:
Since childhood Malayapinas has seen the dark side of globalization and violence in the Philippines. She walked to school barefoot after selling eggs and cigarettes in her nation's ports, and toiled in banana plantations to earn her way through college. Her dream is to see her people free to chart their own destiny. For her, the risks she faces by speaking out are outweighed by the risks of continued silence
The description even blames globalization for the plight of women in the Philippines!
One commentor, after having read this same article, admitted that her privileged life had lead to a somewhat distorted view of the Phillipines: What the Philippines are, for us? A place, far away. The kind and sweet woman living upstairs of my house, who works as servant somewhere (so quietly lovely, despite the way she's treated, despite sons and daughters far away. Despite maybe a degree, and surely a voice.
So I guess my question is not only how can globalization and capitalism be changed to stop this funneling of women into the labor market, or how can the West or work conditions be changed to spare the human rights abuses, but also, how can we assist in the empowerment of these women? How can we get the world to recognize their agency? How can we make the Filippino woman a legitimate player in the thought process of building up herself and her country?
The Globetrotting Sneaker Questions-
ReplyDeleteWhy is that other countries allow U.S companies to exploit their workers? Wouldn't it be for the better good of their country to make laws and regulations prohibiting exploitation? If they did this would better their country by brining in more money because their workers wouldn't be working for such low wages, thus making their economy better.