International Women’s Day 2015

Since 1911, March 8 has been celebrated as International Women’s Day. Women’s groups all over the world chant for equality and cognizance of women’s rights.

I am and Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) here in the Middle East and I am a woman. Through my work, I am able to see different experiences of women OFWs with regards to family life, work conditions and accommodations, social relationships and most especially, how they see themselves as women.

Not all women OFWs here in Kuwait have achieved the “greener pasture” they hoped for, the moment they decided to work overseas, far and away from family and friends. I have seen many OFW women who turn up at the Philippine Embassy to seek shelter from different kinds of abuses. Others work incognito as house helpers refusing to go home because they need to support their families.

I also had my share of life’s dark tunnel and I am grateful to the Almighty for sending me angels that helped me pass through the dark tunnel. What point am I driving at?

Women, no matter how loving, caring and strong you see us on the outside, deep inside, we also need to be loved, cared for and we need an anchor to keep us steady.

Happy International Women’s Day to all of us, women! God bless.

A multi-award-winning blogger and advocate for OFWs and investment literacy; recipient of the Mass Media Advocacy Award, Philippine Expat Blog Award, and Most Outstanding Balikbayan Award. Her first book, The Global Filipino Bloggers OFW Edition, was launched at the Philippine Embassy in Kuwait. A certified Registered Financial Planner of the Philippines specializing in the Stock Market. A recognized author of the National Book Development Board of the Philippines. Co-founder of Teachers Specialist Organization in Kuwait (TSOK) and Filipino Bloggers in Kuwait (FBK). An international member of writing and poetry. Published more than 10 books.  Read more: About DiaryNiGracia

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