04 October 2014 – The Philippine Consulate General in Milan organized a seminar on human trafficking, gender discrimination and violence against women on September 25 at the Santa Maria del Carmine parish hall. Philippine Consulate General officers and staff, with the various leaders from Filipino associations in Milan, attended the said seminar.
The Consulate General invited Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Assistant Secretary Melita S. Sta. Maria-Thomeczek, who is also the Philippine Ambassador-designate to the Federal Republic of Germany, as resource speaker. She was accompanied by Atty. Dyan Kristine Miranda-Pastrana, Assistant Director from the DFA.
In her opening remarks, Philippine Consul General Marichu Mauro underscored the importance of raising awareness on human trafficking as it is in line with the third pillar of Philippine Foreign Policy as well as Philippine global commitment to combat human trafficking in all forms. She also pointed out the Philippine Consulate General’s major role in ensuring the protection of a significant number of Filipinos in Milan and Northern Italy who are vulnerable to becoming victims of human trafficking overseas.
DFA Assistant Secretary Thomeczek highlighted the relevance of such topics because they are global concerns and the migrant population oftentimes fall victims to human trafficking and violence.
Atty. Miranda-Pastrana gave an overview of the different forms of trafficking, gender discrimination and violence happening in the home and in the workplace. She also shared the steps being undertaken by the Philippine Government to address these global challenges. President Aquino has vowed his commitment to implement reforms to respond to these issues by cooperating with other countries in adopting the “4Ps” — the international approach to anti-trafficking: Partnership, Prevention, Prosecution and Protection. The Government has also sought to strengthen the Anti-Trafficking Persons Act, otherwise known as Republic Act 9208, for the enhanced protection of trafficking victims in the Philippines.
On the other hand, in the European Union, several policies and campaigns have been established to combat human trafficking and violence against women.
Atty. Miranda-Pastrana emphasized the need to encourage trafficked victims to report their cases to authorities so that they may be given legal aid or assistance. It is crucial for Filipino migrant workers to be educated about the hazards of working abroad and falling prey to false job recruiters for their safety and protection. END