Philippine Regional Community Care Workers Unite for Strategic Planning and Gender Training

Barangay Health Workers (BHWs) from Regions 3 – Central Luzon, 4-A – CALABARZON, and the National Capital Region (NCR) gathered at UP Hotel in Diliman, Quezon City, for a workshop aimed at enhancing their collective efforts to address the many challenges they face. The workshop, focused on strategic planning, provided an opportunity for the BHW federations to unify their voices and amplify their impact in tackling the pressing issues confronting the health workers in their communities.

Alongside the strategic planning sessions, the workshop featured crucial training on gender sensitivity, led by Catherine Gayo-Villon of the Associated Labor Unions – TUCP. The program emphasized the importance of understanding SOGIESC, gender roles, biases, and inequalities, particularly in the healthcare sector, where many workers—especially women—experience discrimination and unfair treatment. Participants examined the deeper implications of gender sensitivity in the workplace, focusing on how societal norms and expectations contribute to these challenges. The training also offered practical strategies to create more inclusive and respectful work environments, with a strong emphasis on legal rights and protections.

“Gender sensitivity is a critical issue for many BHWs in the provinces, especially since many of us are not fully aware of these topics, and access to training is scarce,” said Jahmel Mora, President of the BHW Provincial Federation of Quezon Province. “By learning more about gender sensitivity, we can not only improve our work but also better advocate for the communities we serve.”

A key achievement of the strategic planning was the decision by BHWs from Region 3 and 4-A to affiliate with UNI Global Union – Philippine Liaison Council (UNI-PLC), representing over 40,000 workers. This affiliation marks a pivotal step in unifying BHWs across regions to champion their rights and improve working conditions. With this move, BHWs are well-positioned to harness their growing numbers nationwide, further strengthening their collective power to advocate for their interests.

Myrna Gaite, President of the Barangay Health Workers Federation – National Capital Region, emphasized the importance of unity in the face of ongoing struggles. “It is crucial for us, as Barangay Health Workers, to come together and consolidate our efforts, especially as we continue to fight for the passage of the Magna Carta of BHWs,” she said. “United, we can push for our rights more effectively and ensure that the voices of BHWs across the country are heard.”

UNI Asia & Pacific Regional Secretary, Rajendra Acharya, “We are thrilled to welcome these vital care workers into the UNI family. This is just the beginning—we will continue to organize and stand shoulder to shoulder with BHWs in their fight for what they rightfully deserve,” Acharya vowed.

This initiative is backed by UNI Global Union through Together We Care, a groundbreaking initiative to enhance women’s economic security by fostering a skilled, empowered workforce in the health and care sectors supported by USAID, the Ford Foundation and the CARE Fund.