OFWs in UAE celebrate Women's month via call to cast votes on May polls

ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates – A powerful call to action for women to empower themselves by casting their votes in the upcoming Philippine national elections was echoed during the celebration of the International Women’s month.

Vice Consul Regatta Marie A. Antonio-Escutin made the call at the International Women’s Day 2025 event held at Proexperts Event Place in Hamdan, Abu Dhabi City organized by The Global Filipino Community Association (TGFCA), a women’s group based in the capital.

Escutin highlighted the crucial role of women in every sector aligning it with the theme set by the Philippine Commission for Women, “Babae sa Lahat ng Sektor Aangat ang Buhay sa Bagong Pilipinas.”

“It’s very nice, dapat talaga sa lahat ng sector may babae. If di babae, at least somebody who is advocating the rights of women….Importante na meron, iba yung may boses ang babae in every sector,” she said.

Escutin was invited to speak in a forum attended by about 50 women advocates, mostly members of TGFCA, a group accredited by the Abu Dhabi Bayanihan Council and recognized by the Philippine Embassy in Abu Dhabi.

Being the only woman among the four officers assigned in the Philippine Embassy to the UAE, Escutin said women’s voice plays a crucial role in shaping the future of the country.

As an advocate of women’s rights, Escutin reiterated the call of Ambassador Alonso Ferdinan Ver in urging Filipino women to engage in the democratic process through online voting, calling them to register and play an integral role in influencing the nation’s development.

The embassy official said that data from the Department of Migrant Workers revealed that 52 percent of the deployed migrant workers is composed mostly of women.

Conveying the message of Ambassador Ver, Escutin stressed the importance of voting as a fundamental right, an essential aspect of democracy and a powerful tool for women to assert their voices and advocate for policies that reflect their needs and aspirations.

“Importante na meron, iba yung may boses ang kababaihan in every sector. Napaka importante ang role ng women. We should have a voice, yung policy making napaka importante… sa voting historically dito sa UAE, 38% who vote are women. Ang message ni Ambassador Ver, bilang mga babae, very important ang role natin sa society, ngayong election, let us exercise that right,” she said.

Based on the schedules of the online overseas voting in the UAE posted on the website of the Philippine Embassy, the pre-enrolment of test voting will commence on March 20, 2025, and will end on April 12, 2025.

The start of the overseas voting period is scheduled on April 13, 2025, at 8:00am local time here while the last day to enrol for online voting is on May 7, 2025. The end of the voting period will be at 3pm UAE time on May 12, 2025, the embassy advisory further revealed.

Emma Wenceslao Sentones, President of TGFCA, told GMA Integrated News that their group has been advocating women empowerment and equality since it was founded in 2023.

On their second year of organizing the annual International Women’s Month Celebration, they focused on this year’s theme: For All Women and Girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment, she said.

Sentones said TGFCA is composed of OFW women, and it was organized to serve as a platform for Filipinos to connect, support one another & strengthen unity.

"As an organization led by women, for women, we are honored to advocate for women's empowerment and equality. We believe that when women are empowered, community thrives. We come together to celebrate our collective progress and renew our commitment to creating a world where women and girls have equal rights, opportunities and power,” she told GMA Integrated News.

Echoing Vice-Consul Escutin’s call for women to be empowered by voting, Sentones said the group has been encouraging Filipino women to exercise their right to suffrage and make their voices heard.

“The message also underscored the convenience and accessibility of online voting, making it easier for Filipinos to participate in the democratic process, no matter where they are in the world. Vice Consul Regatta's inspiring message served as a call to action, urging Filipinos to register and cast their votes online,” she added.

Another woman advocate, Joanne De Guzman Rico, Head of Marketing in SEHA, Salma Rehabilitation Hospital and author of the book entitled, It’s Not What You Think, also highlighted the strength and resilience of women.

Rico was one of the two main guest speakers of the event who spoke about empowering the hands that builds home, highlighting their strengths, rights and dreams.

In her speech, Rico focused on advocating financial literacy for women, sharing tips and pieces of advice on how to be more empowered.

A marketing and brand management professional, Rico, magna cum laude graduate of the University of the Philippines – Diliman also underscored the critical role women play in shaping the family unit and society at large.

“You have to have something when you return home. Savings can lead to financial security, isang tip. Another tip, focus on needs rather than wants. Alam mo dapat ano yung need at alam yung want,” Rico told the audience.

Aloma Mae Mariano, another speaker of the event, inspired the audience by sharing her story of resilience and strength as a female Overseas Filipino Worker who started her career as a cleaner in the UAE in 2004.

From humble beginnings, Mariano, who hails from Cagayan De Oro City and who currently works as a client engagement center coordinator at Medic Clinic Middle East, rose from the ranks after enduring several setbacks & challenges.

Mariano said the opportunity for promotion was not very promising back then despite all her competence and efforts but she never gave up.

She urges the audience to keep improving and upskilling themselves whenever there is an opportunity such as taking short courses to be able to thrive competitively.

“I came from humble beginnings; my journey was not easy. I craft myself to the work, I was learning every day. Hindi dapat makontento, we have to uplift ourselves. Kelangan gumawa ng paraan, hindi dapat tayo matakot at dapat tulungan ang kapwa babae. If you involve yourself in a community, uplifting and empowering others,” Mariano said. — BAP, GMA Integrated News