The Public and Hidden Sexualities of Filipina Women in Lebanon

May 1, 2011 By

This essay was originally published In Introducing the New Sexuality Studies (2011). 2nd edition. Steven Seidman, Nancy Fischer, and Chet Meeks eds. Routledge. http://www.routledge.com/books/details/9780415781268/

Filipino migrant domestic workers in Hamra. ©Simba Russeau. Beirut, Lebanon

By: Hayeon Lee

There are about 200,000 migrant women domestic workers – the majority from Sri Lanka, Ethiopia and the Philippines – in Lebanon, which has a population of about four million. Although the Philippine government officially banned citizens from coming to Lebanon following the July War in 2006, an estimated 40,000 Filipinos, mostly female domestic workers, still live and work in Lebanon. Since 1975, migrant women have gradually replaced Lebanese and other Arab women from poor backgrounds, who once made up the dominant domestic labor force (Jureidini 2009). In recent years, the human rights situation of domestic workers has been of public interest due to widespread media coverage of the abuse of these women, as this appears to have led to several suicides. However, the mechanisms of power behind these abuses are often overlooked, as are the complex ways in which Filipina women negotiate within these power structures in order to shape their lives in Lebanon.

Based on 37 interviews with Filipina women, 14 in-depth interviews with Lebanese employers, two interviews with recruitment agencies, and participant-observation mostly carried out in Beirut in 2007, this essay explores the sexuality of Filipina women. (All names have been changed for privacy.) The perceived sexuality of Filipina women – along with all the negative stereotypes – is often used as a means to control these women. Yet, I will argue that Filipina women do not surrender their sexual agency; they actively negotiate the challenges of living in an alien and sometimes hostile social environment, and this includes their sexuality. [Read more...]

Racism in Lebanon in the Eyes of Cameroonian Migrant Domestic Workers

April 29, 2011 By

Cameroonian migrant workers Annette, Pulcherie and Sofie speaks out about conditions for migrant workers in Lebanon, racism and discrimination for International Workers’ Day 2011.

In Lebanon today there are an estimated 1 million migrant workers, of which between 3 -400,000 are domestic workers. Even though they comprise nearly one-quarter of the Lebanese population, their voices and views are regularly silenced and their rights trampled upon because of their national origin, class, and race.

One-third of migrant domestic workers will never be allowed to leave the houses they work in during their time in Lebanon, more than one-third report being physically abused by their employers, and 40% are not allowed to have their own rooms. These figures reveal that Lebanon is in breach of all international conventions of the human rights of workers. This International Workers’ Day, the Migrant Workers Task Force is refocusing the issue of workers’ rights on migrant worker rights.

Racist Arabic Nicknames Migrant Workers Face

April 29, 2011 By

This is a crosspost from: qawemeharassment

This is something that did not only happen once and not only in one place but in different spots in Beirut and elsewhere. Often while walking in the streets, men amuse themselves with while walking in my direction of coming pretty close, so that I either have to jump to the side so as not to touch them.

Simply that is annoying, I don’t want to be misanthropic, but please, boys, men and gentlemen: If I want my body to touch you, I will let you know. If I want to get shouted at, I will let you know. If I am looking for new nicknames such as Chocolate, Sweety, Asmar or whatever else I shall consult you, until then: F*** off!

Back to the story I was telling. So some of these men have the tendency to come pretty close what as such is annoying, the really disgusting thing is that there seems to be a habit, especially among members of the highly respected military and police, to wait until I am close, then make one, two steps in my direction so as to be very close and sniff. It may not be a big thing, it happens without words, but everytime it happens I feel slighty violated. Do not ever sniff me.

Submitted by LH

Location: Zaydanieh

Time of harassment: 20-2: Night / ?????