Low-Income Filipino Women Workers Unite to Fight Labor Trafficking at Women & Action Gathering
Queens, NY – Last weekend, Damayan members, mainly low-income Filipino women and mothers, came together for “Women and Action: Workers’ Gathering and Women's Month Celebration”. The event brought together participants from across the community for an empowering afternoon of education, women worker empowerment, and celebration.
The event kicked off with a fun icebreaker and game, creating a welcoming and energetic atmosphere for all everyone. The participants also learned about labor trafficking, its root causes, the systems that profit from trafficking, the Filipino community’s experience, and what they can do to protect themselves and our community. Many of the participants, domestic workers and labor trafficking survivors trafficked by diplomats and their employers, gained deep understanding about the Labor Trafficking wheel, a wheel similar to Domestic Violence wheel developed by Damayan to help its members recognize the signs of trafficking.
A Damayan worker leader and labor trafficking survivor shared her experience about being trafficked by a diplomat, how she learned about her rights, and how she became a social justice leader in Damayan.
The participants learned about Women’s History Month and the progressive roots of International Working Women’s Day. The event concluded on a high note with a lively Zumba session led by its women members, bringing joy and energy to close out an inspiring afternoon.
Support Damayan’s work to serve and empower low-income Filipino workers, mainly women domestic workers and labor trafficking survivors!
