Ninety-one migrant Filipinas from 10 countries in Europe came together, discussed and set actions to improve their lives in their host countries. After three days of sharing listening, and joining workshops, the participants headed for home with optimism in their hearts and minds. Together, they have agreed to pursue their goal of a fulfilled life in Europe.

Held in Castle Vaeshartelt in Maastricht, the Netherlands from 11 to 13 September, the 1998 Babaylan Conference was participated in by women representing the different network organizations of Babaylan. Babaylan is the Philippine Women's Network in Europe. The third of Babaylan's Europe-wide conferences, this year's commemorated two main events - the centennial anniversary of Philippine Independence and the 50th anniversary of the Universal Declaration on Human rights. Thus the theme, We, the Filipino Migrant women in Europe: Our contribution to and role in the transformation of the Philippines as a nation and our claim to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights as migrant women's rights.

The Filipina migrant women - - migrant workers, Filipinas in bi-cultural relationships, youth and the second generation Filipinas, refugees and migrant-returnees- - were all represented. Delegates were Filipinas from Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland and United Kingdom. Three participants were from the Philippines, one being a migrant - returnee.

What have been presented?

To set the tone of the discussions and provide some backgrounder on the conference topics, Rohlee de Guzman, 1998 Conference Coordinator, gave the opening speech. Lecturer, Dr. Obi Igwara, from Centre for Comparative Development of the University of Hull, England, and Atty. Cecilia Jimenez, a human rights lawyer connected with the Geneva Forum for Philippine Concerns - talked about the claim of migrant women to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Both emphasized that fully understanding the issues and their environment is an essential pre-requisite to planning and future actions.

The inputs were not confined only to living and trying to survive. Leila Rispens-Noel and Leticia Jimenez motivated the participants with their talk on women's potential through economic initiatives. Leila, on her own, started and manages her own company, Timeshare Booksellers in the Netherlands. Letty, on the one hand, comes from a group of women of a credit cooperative, the Filipino Christian Bayanihan in Italy. Having a cooperative is one very effective way to learn how to save and help other women.

Meanwhile in a panel discussion, five women with their personal testimonies concretized the varied experiences of migrant women. Rose Cheung, a migrant-returnee now based in the Philippines shared how she is re-adjusting to live in the Philippines. The experiences of being a woman-refugee was shared by Purita Licayan. She has chosen to stay and live in the Netherlands.

Meanwhile, for Angie Pirmejo, a migrant worker from Greece, the Philippines will always be home. She works hard to be able to, one day, go back to the Philippines. Min Bucher from Switzerland shared her experiences of having a European partner. "Communication is essential to bi-cultural partnerships," she said. And communication between parents and youth is also essential as confirmed by Averil Pooten, a migrant youth from England.

What are the resulting discussions, declarations and actions planned?

All the women present consider being discriminated against as part of their daily life. They experience discrimination everywhere, in all kinds of situations and because they are women. Discrimination is manifested through violations of their human dignity, the prohibitions against discrimination and racism, the right to asylum, right to information, right to protection of the family, right to a cultural identity. To rectify these violations, the Conference has declared the need to assert and fight for human rights as women's in every possible forum and in every possible way.

This time, the women reiterated that Filipina migrants contribute to the development of the Philippines and Europe not only economically, but as well as socio-culturally and politically. Maybe more important than their monthly remittances to the Philippines is their not so obvious contribution to the enrichment of two cultures. Filipinas do not simply imbibe the cultural practices of their receiving country and forget their very own. Very positively, they contribute to the enrichment of the Filipino culture itself, becoming agents of promoting multi-culturalism in the Philippines and in the countries where they live.

And although the Filipino migrant women significantly support both the economy of the Philippines and of their host countries, they themselves are economically dependent. Since most of these women are financially dependent on their partners and on low-paying jobs, they fail to fully satisfy their own needs and the needs of their families in the Philippines. To attend to this particular need, Babaylan will provide training and advice sessions on starting and managing small scale business. But first, women will have to be encouraged to embark on economic self-reliant projects that will enable them to be fulfilled individuals.

Undoubtedly, the Filipinas are very well equipped to be economically prosperous and independent if the conditions in Europe will permit it and they themselves are ready to maximize their opportunities and take risks.

The second-generation women - the Filipina migrants cannot deny the difficulties that these young people encounter. The youth participants themselves came to realize that they have a role and a unique situation in Europe. The call has been made: ...more and better understanding between the generations, in particular those who grew up in Europe who have different experiences and outlook, should be promoted, especially through communication and awareness of each other's needs.

Babaylan, all set!!!

Babaylan, with its new leadership and different organizations in Europe, will actively network, lobby and set up actions to pursue the Declaration of the 1998 Babaylan Conference.

Elected during the Babaylan Congress to the Executive Committee for a term of two years are: Emma Bibal (UK), Chairperson; Mary Lou Hardillo-Werning (Germany), Secretary; Beulah Snijders-Japitana (NL), treasurer; Cecille Cech (Austria) and Wennie Gamboa (Switzerland) as members. Emma, who succeeded Malu Padilla (NL), counts on the support of all the Babaylan-member organizations for support to carry on with Babaylan's objectives and realize the actions planned in this Conference.

Not only Babaylan

The call is louder than ever, this time coming from the Filipina women migrants. "Understand the real situation of the migrant Filipinas. Support them in their struggle to have better living conditions where ever they are in Europe." The call is addressed to the Philippine government and the receiving countries.

The next Conference, in the year 2000, will be in the United Kingdom. DIWA, the Philippine Women's Network in the Netherlands, hosted the 1998 Babaylan Conference.

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