| |
| |
 |
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
MANILA: More women in the Philippines are taking on jobs in areas traditionally dominated by men.
The reason is that skilled jobs are still in demand overseas, and women take on these jobs because they need to provide for their families during these difficult times.
25-year-old Gemmalyn Rivera had always dreamt of finding a job overseas as a nurse, but high tuition fees forced her to take a different path.
She is now taking up a free welding course at a government institution. In three months, she will be able to earn as much as US$2,500 a month, working at a manufacturing company in Australia.
She said: "There is a big demand for female welders abroad. Employers prefer women because our work is more polished and we are more meticulous in our work."
There are now more than 400 women enrolled in free courses at the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA). These include courses on automotive servicing, engineering, and construction - areas that were once considered to be the domain of men.
In this difficult economic times, Filipino women are now willing to take on any job - including traditionally male-dominated ones - just to be able to provide for their loved ones.
As it is, seven out of 10 Filipino workers who work overseas are women, and the numbers are set to increase.
Executive director, IBON Foundation, Jazminda Lumang-Buncan, said: "Filipino women will grab any job now because they do not have any choice. How can you still choose in these times if it is already the survival of your family at stake? They will take on any job, even if it is meant for males, women will bear it."
But as more women find jobs overseas, more families will also be left behind without mothers, daughters and wives, and social workers are worried what this will mean for the Philippines in the long run.
- CNA/yt
|
