Jaehwa Bernardo

Members of the women’s party-list Gabriela hold a protest along Padre Burgos cor. Roxas Boulevard in Manila on Friday, May 16, 2025, to express their dismay over the Comelec’s assessment of the recently concluded elections and to call for a manual recount. They denounce what they describe as an alarming and orchestrated assault on democracy that has marred the 2025 midterm elections, resulting in the loss of genuine representation for marginalized women, the LGBTQ+ community, children, and the toiling masses. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

GABRIELA

Lyza Aquino

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/177271052318520250516-gabriela-halalan-protest-MT-5.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/>Members of the women’s party-list Gabriela hold a protest along Padre Burgos cor. Roxas Boulevard in Manila on Friday, May 16, 2025, to express their dismay over the Comelec’s assessment of the recently concluded elections and to call for a manual recount. They denounce what they describe as an alarming and orchestrated assault on democracy that has marred the 2025 midterm elections, resulting in the loss of genuine representation for marginalized women, the LGBTQ+ community, children, and the toiling masses. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News/File</div>MANILA — Women’s groups and local government leaders are marking International Women’s Month with a series of activities and advocacy campaigns highlighting the continuing challenges faced by Filipino women.Non-government organization Gabriela announced plans to lead a major protest on the morning of March 8, International Women’s Day, calling for economic relief measures and stronger protections for women and children. The demonstration is expected to gather thousands of women at Liwasang Bonifacio in Manila, placing women’s rights at the center of the month-long observance.International Women’s Month, celebrated every March, commemorates the global struggle for gender equality and recognizes women’s achievements in social, political, and economic life. The observance also serves as a platform for advocacy groups, government institutions, and universities to push for reforms and programs that address gender-based inequalities.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/business/2026/2/13/gabriela-protests-12-vat-calls-for-tax-relief-1207">Gabriela protests 12% VAT, calls for tax relief </a></div><div> </div><div>&#x27;LACK OF GOVERNMENT SUPPORT FOR WOMEN&#x27;</div>Gabriela Secretary General Clarice Palce said the group’s protest will focus on increasing cases of violence against women and children.“Isa sa iha-highlight natin, sa lalong tumitinding kahirapan, kagutuman, kasabay niyan yung pagtaas ng kaso ng pangaabuso sa mga kababaihan at mga bata, lalo na yung violence against women and children,” Palce said.She noted that the group has already monitored several cases of abuse in the past year, where six out of ten women reported domestic violence, while one out of ten children were victims of trafficking.“January, palang ngayong taon, sunod sunod na yung namomonitor nating mga kaso ng rape, domestic abuse o violence, grooming at iba pang forms ng violence laban sa mga kababaihan at nagaganap ito habang walang serbisyo para sa mga kababaihan.”Palce criticized what she described as a lack of government support services for victims.“Wala kasing mga shelters, wala kahit anong program sa mga victims or survivors ng violence lalo na para sa mga kababaihan at mga kabataan. Sa tingin natin, malaking pondo kasi ang napupunta korupsyon na puwede sanang nilaan para dito sa mga programa at serbisyo para sa mga kababaihan.”She added official figures likely underestimate the true scale of the problem.“Ang daming under-reported cases, ito ay conservative data lamang at hindi talaga i-reflect yung current situation ng mga kababaihan in terms of violence.”This year also marks Gabriela’s 41st anniversary, and the organization said it will continue pushing for stronger laws and better implementation of existing protections for women and children.Despite these laws, she said enforcement remains weak.“Pero unfortunately 2026, na yung implementation nito ay kinakapos pa rin.”Among the proposed reforms being advocated with allies in Congress is the amendment of the Anti-Violence Against Women and Children law to include online abuse.The group is also pushing for stricter penalties for perpetrators and the establishment of more services for survivors.“Kasama dyan yung pagpapatayo ng mga shelter facilities para sa mga victim/survivors, kasama dyan yung mga livelihood programs, para sa mga kababaihan na kailangang tulungan makabangon doon sa mga abusong naranasan nila.”<div> </div><div>GENDER STEREOTYPES</div>Advocates also warned about persistent gender stereotypes in Philippine society. Palce added that such attitudes, including misogynistic remarks by some politicians, contribute to discrimination and abuse.“Yung objectification sa mga kababaihan, so ang lahat ng ito ay nagkokontribute sa pang-aabuso at discrimination sa mga kababaihan.”Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte, meanwhile, emphasized that International Women’s Month is an important reminder of the long struggle for gender equality.“Napakahalagang igunita or magkaroon ng selebrasyon ng international women’s month, kasi alam ninyo, hindi naman talaga pantay pantay ang pagtingin sa mga kababaihan at kalalakihan for the longest time in history,” Belmonte said.She pointed to historical barriers such as the denial of voting rights and limited opportunities for women in politics and leadership.Belmonte said Quezon City has taken steps toward gender equality, including early legislation on gender development and protections against harassment.“I think we’re one of the first cities also na nakapagpass ng &#x27;Bawal Bastos&#x27; ordinance, way back in 2016, bago pa man napasa ng Senado at Kongreso ang Safe Spaces Act in 2019.”She stressed that the work is far from finished.“We will continue to celebrate for as long as we feel that women’s rights are not equal to those of men in some aspects or fields. We will fight for this for as long as women are not able to achieve certain opportunities that they deserve to have.”<div> </div><div>MONTH-LONG ACTIVITIES</div>Several activities across Metro Manila and other parts of the country are scheduled throughout March to mark International Women’s Month.Gabriela will hold a “Free Our Sisters, Free Ourselves” protest on March 6, while youth groups will stage performances of “The Vagina Monologues” at the University of the Philippines Mindanao campus.On March 7, Gabriela-NCR will organize the global “One Billion Rising” event in Pasig, alongside an open house program for supporters.The centerpiece mobilization will be the International Women’s Day Walk on March 8 at Liwasang Bonifacio in Manila.Meanwhile, Quezon City has lined up multiple events, including a Women’s Month Bazaar at City Hall from March 2 to 6, a pop-up library at Quezon Memorial Circle, self-defense and wellness workshops, and community seminars on women’s rights and health.From March 9 to 13, the UP Center for Women’s and Gender Studies will host Balay Dakila: Women’s Month Community Bazaar from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the UPCWGS grounds.On March 10, the Quezon City Public Library San Isidro Galas Branch will conduct Tuklas Galas: Basic Self-Defense Workshop, while the UP Center for Women’s and Gender Studies conference room will host two basic make-up workshops—one from 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 noon for participants aged 36 to 60, and another from 2:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. for participants aged 18 to 35.A discussion forum titled “Kapihan at Talakayan: Understanding and Managing PCOS: Empowering Women’s Health Through Informed Choices and Self-Care” will be held on March 11.On March 13, the Quezon City Public Library Lagro Branch will hold a Candle-Making Workshop for Women and Solo Parents.A seminar titled “Know Your Rights, Juana” will take place on March 14 at the UP Campus Pook Amorsolo Branch.The month-long celebration will also include “Sip, Read and Rise,” a film showing for women, scheduled on March 20 at the Quezon City Public Library Libis Branch.National government activities will also begin with the Philippine Commission on Women’s National Women’s Month Celebration kickoff ceremony on March 6 at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum in Manila.<div> </div><div>A CALL FOR COLLECTIVE ACTION</div>As preparations for the March 8 protest continue, Palce urged Filipino women to assert their rights and take part in collective action.“Ang panawagan sa mga kababaihan lalong lalo na sa mga kababaihang pilipino, ipakita natin ang lakas ng mga kababaihan, ipakita natin ang lakas ng kababaihan para labanan ang anumang porma ng pang-aabuso para maipaglaban natin ang ating mga karapatan.”

Women’s groups and local government leaders are marking International Women’s Month with a series of activities and advocacy campaigns highlighting the continuing challenges faced by Filipino women.

Women’s groups and local government leaders are marking International Women’s Month with a series of activities and advocacy campaigns highlighting the continuing challenges faced by Filipino women.

Groups call for relief, stronger protection vs abuse ahead of Int'l Women's Day

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Groups call for relief, stronger protection vs abuse ahead of Int'l Women's Day

Lyza Aquino,

ABS-CBN News

Published March 05, 2026 07:58 PM PHT

Read More:

International Women's Month

Gabriela

Philippine Commission on Women

National Women’s Month

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