Bandar Seri Begawan, 09 March 2020 - The Philippine Embassy in Brunei Darussalam joined the world-wide celebration of International Women’s Day with a Gender and Development (GAD) Forum on “Safeguarding the Rights of Women in the Workplace” on 08 March 2020 at the Philippine Chancery.

The Forum aimed to raise awareness on promoting and protecting women’s rights, including the prevention and reporting of the occurrence of any form of physical and emotional abuse or violence in the workplace.

The speakers during the Forum were professionals and experts in the field of Women and Children’s Rights and their Development. Nur Judy Binti Abdullah, Founder and Executive Director of Project Women, a not-for-profit social enterprise in Brunei Darussalam, gave a presentation on the Rights of Women as embodied in the ASEAN Declaration on the Protection and Promotion of the Rights of Migrant Workers 2007, as well as the ASEAN Consensus on the Protection and Promotion of the Rights of Migrant Workers 2018. She also gave an in-depth presentation on “Sexual Harassment in the Workplace and its Prevention.”

On the other hand, the Acting Superintendent of the Women and Children Abuse Unit of Royal Brunei Police Force, Hajah Mariyani binti Haji Wahab, delivered a presentation on the laws and procedures on reporting incidences of violence and abuse to government agencies in Brunei. Hajah Wahab encouraged the women participants to speak up if they have experienced abuse or know of someone being abused. She underscored the importance of the community as a collective whole in overcoming barriers that prevent women from reporting such abuse.

One hundred and twelve (112) participants composed mostly of semi-skilled and Household Service Workers attended the Forum. They expressed appreciation to the Embassy for organizing the event, noting that it enable them to elevate their awareness on the importance of knowing their rights and most importantly, how and why they should report violence and abuse to proper authorities.

The Embassy, in partnership with the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) Office, regularly conducts GAD activities that promote gender and development issues for the benefit of Filipinos in Brunei, particularly for their empowerment and enhanced productivity. END

Nur Judy Bindti Abdullah, Founder and Executive Director of Project Women, gives a presentation on the Rights of Migrant Women and on Sexual Harassment on the Workplace

Hajah Mariyani binti Haji Wahab, Acting Superintendent of the Women and Children Abuse Unit of Royal Brunei Police Force encourages the women to speak out if they experience violence and abuse.