Get started
Work

Review of Reintegration Policies of Former Female OFWs in the Province of Batangas, Philippines: a Gender Responsive Analysis

Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: After decades of sending workers abroad, the Philippines has become a model framework of labor migration. It is a reality, however, that for these workers to pursue continued economic growth even after returning to the Philippines, successful reintegration must take place. As more women cross borders for work, it is expected that more women will also return to their home country. Reintegration in the home country follows after work completion abroad. The success of reintegration often lies in the programs and policies of the home country. In this modern era of movement and labor, there is a need for programs and policies to respond to the centuries old plight of women and work. This qualitative paper examines the reintegration policies and programs currently implemented in the province of Batangas for the women returnees using critical feminist theory. The challenges in their implementation were also interrogated. In-depth interviews were conducted with four government agencies deeply involved with reintegration. Documents were also assessed in terms of its gender responsiveness using the Gender Responsive Assessment Scale of the World Health Organization, categorizing policies and programs into gender-unequal, gender blind, gender-sensitive, gender-specific, and gender-transformative. The recommendation calls for a more cohesive approach to government and private industry programs and policies to achieve consistency and streamlined support in the reintegration of women returnees. This paper contributes to efforts of gender equality and reintegration of migrant workers in the local labor market of the Philippines.
DOI: 10.36948/ijfmr.2026.v08i02.72326
Language: English
Open Access status: hybrid
OpenAlex ID: W7142959552
FWCI:
Cites: 5
Cited by:
Related to: 10