PH Consulate General in Jeddah Conducts Online Forum “Without Batting an Eyelash: Filipino Women in Jeddah Battling Discrimination, Gender Roles and Stereotypes”

Invited panelists in the online forum: Ms. Veronica Filipinas-Saha, Dr. Minerva Santos, MS. Cristina dela Cruz, and Ms. Nida Poquiz. (Jeddah PCG photo)

JEDDAH 11 April 2023 — The Philippine Consulate General in Jeddah (Jeddah PCG) conducted on 30 March 2023 an online forum entitled “Without Batting an Eyelash: Filipino Women in Jeddah Battling Discrimination, Gender Roles and Stereotypes.”

The activity had as guest speakers successful Filipino women expatriates in Jeddah who shared their experiences, including the challenges they have faced as Filipino woman migrant workers in the Kingdom, and how they were able to overcome these challenges that eventually led them to a successful family and professional life.

Among the invited speakers were Dr. Minerva Santos – President of the Filipino Dentists in KSA- Western Region (FDK); Ms. Veronica Filipinas-Saha - President of the Philippine Nurses Association in Jeddah (PNAJ); Ms. Nida Poquiz - former President of the Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA); and Ms. Cristina Dela Cruz - President of the Philippine International Schools Teachers’ Association (PISTA)

The aim of the forum was to inspire and give hope to other Filipino women in Jeddah and Saudi Arabia, especially those who are in a disadvantaged situation, and help empower them to be active agents in the collective fight for gender equality and equity.

In his message, Consul General Edgar Tomas Q. Auxilian said that it has been common knowledge that women have faced so many challenges even in this so-called liberal and post-modern era. “Despite many women holding high positions in government and the workplace, there is still a need to strongly fight for women’s rights for the protection and promotion of their welfare. With today’s conversations with our invited panelists/ speakers, we hope that the Filipino community and the Filipino women in Jeddah and those from other parts of the world would find renewed hope and new-found strength in facing and addressing all the challenges experienced by many women today,” Consul General Auxilian added.

Vice-Consul Mary Kristal Rabanal and Social Welfare Attache Narrabelle Bue moderated the forum, while Vice-Consul Alfred Kristoffer Guiang, Jeddah PCG Gender and Development (GAD) Focal Point Officer hosted the program.

This year’s National Women’s Month celebration has the theme “We for Gender Equality and Inclusive Society.”  END

For more information, visit https://www.jeddahpcg.dfa.gov.ph  or https://www.facebook.com/PHLinJeddah/.