Women unite! Fight for genuine independence and sovereignty!

Center for Women's Resources In the News 0 Comment

As we commemorate the Philippines’ Independence Day, the Center for Women’s Resources (CWR) stands in solidarity with Filipino women and the broader masses in asserting genuine independence and national sovereignty – freedom from continued foreign domination that persists through militarism and imperialist control of our economy.

For years, the country has served as a strategic outpost for the United States through military agreements such as the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) and the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA). The Balikatan exercises conduct war games annually, and at least nine EDCA sites have been established across the country. Many of them are near vital resources or contested waters; there are other sites that remain undisclosed.

These agreements also enable the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to receive training and support from the US under the guise of defense cooperation and security – but in reality militarizing communities. This militarization has had devastating consequences for women and children. History bears witness to how foreign military presence has fueled prostitution and violence against women.

The Philippines has also signed a Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA) with Japan and is pursuing similar deals with France, Canada, and New Zealand. These are taking place amid intensifying geopolitical tensions between the US and China. The Philippines is being dragged into a proxy war, and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. bears responsibility for enabling this heightened militarization, which significantly increases the vulnerability of Filipinos—especially women and children—to violence.

It must be noted that militarism serves to protect and ensure economic interests — in our lands, seas, and economy. It secures foreign investors’ hold on our natural resources, economic zones, and infrastructure projects under the guise of “development” and “security.” In areas such as Santa Ana, Cagayan, and other places with EDCA sites, women and their communities, especially indigenous communities, bear the brunt of economic displacement, surveillance, and militarized violence.

Today, we call on all women and the Filipino people to fight for genuine independence and sovereignty – our collective aspirations that cannot coexist with foreign military presence, economic dependence, and bureaucrat capitalism that serves imperialist interests.

Resist militarism and imperialist control! Defend Filipino women!

#DefendFilipinoWomen
#DefendNational Sovereignty

Ang lumalalang kalagayan ng mga manininda sa gitna ng paglawak ng pribatisasyon ng mga pampublikong pamilihan

Center for Women's Resources Research, Resources 0 Comment

Hindi natatapos ang hirap at pagpapakasakit ng mga mamamayan dahil sa tumitinding krisis pang-ekonomiya at epekto nito lalo na sa kababaihan. 

Sa maraming mga maralitang komunidad, isa sa pangunahing pinagkukunan ng kita ng kababaihan ang pagtitinda. Ang mga pampublikong palengke naman ang nagsisilbing sentro ng kultura at pamilihan ng malawak na hanay ng mamamayan dahil sa mas abot-kayang presyo ng mga bilihin kumpara sa naglalakihang malls at tindahan.

Isa sa matinding kalbaryong kanilang kinahaharap ang pagsasapribado ng mga pampublikong pamilihan. Kasapakat ang mga dambuhalang korporasyon tulad ng SM Prime Holdings Inc. (SMPHI), maraming proyektong pribatisasyon ang pinangungunahan ng mga lokal na pamahalaan sa tabing ng modernisasyon, kapalit ang pagkitil sa kabuhayan ng mga manininda.

Read and download: https://centerforwomensresources.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Research-Public-Market-Privatization.pdf

Gabriela Women’s Party, a legislative champion of women’s demands

Center for Women's Resources Advocacy, Solidarity, Statement 0 Comment

Women’s rights and welfare are at stake in every election. Amidst a worsening economic crisis that severely impacts women—marked by rising prices of basic commodities, unemployment, low wages, rampant discrimination, and violence against women (VAW)—it is vital to ensure genuine women’s representation in Congress.

However, grassroots women are now facing a serious threat to their representation in parliament. The Gabriela Women’s Party (GWP), which has advocated for women’s rights in Congress for the past 21 years, has lost its seat. Throughout this time, GWP has maintained a consultative and inclusive approach, amplifying the voices of grassroots women and collaborating closely with institutions like the Center for Women’s Resources (CWR). Due to an electoral process marred by questions and irregularities, GWP has ended its 21-year congressional streak. 

But the fight for women’s rights continues; it is far from over. To understand why a women’s sectoral party is absolutely essential, we must look at the legislation Gabriela has pushed and championed—laws that specifically address issues affecting women and marginalized groups. 

In April 2025, before the midterm elections, CWR released a survey on women’s political participation, where women voters were asked what national and women’s issues they think candidates seeking office should address.

Results revealed that economic issues are women’s primary concern (61.35%), followed by the lack of social services particularly on health and education (29.26%). With regards to women’s issues, addressing gender-based abuse and VAW emerged as a top concern (28.9%), along with the respect and recognition of women’s rights and non-discrimination (15.1%).

Back in 2016, women presented a call for “CHANGE”—Comprehensive social services, Human rights, peace and social justice, Anti-discrimination and Violence Against Women and Children, National sovereignty, Genuine land reform and National Industrialization, and Environmental protection. 

Bearing these calls in mind, Gabriela actively crafted bills and advanced laws that directly benefit women and other marginalized groups.

WOMEN’S AGENDA: Comprehensive social services

Social services and social welfare programs are essential in a feudal-patriarchal society where women are primarily expected to take care of the family. However, Filipino women still lack access to social services. 

Due to budget misprioritization and corruption, the maternal mortality rate remains high, and the number of teenage pregnancies continues to surge. In 2023, 1,868 maternal deaths were recorded. That same year, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported 142,276 teenage pregnancy cases. Of this number, 3,343 were the result of statutory rape.

In addressing these challenges, GWP pushed for the passage of the following landmark laws:

  • RA 11210 or the Expanded Maternity Law (Principal author)
  • RA 11861 or the Expanded Solo Parents Welfare Act (Principal author)

GWP also continues to call for the full implementation of Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) and the immediate passage of the Prevention of Adolescent Pregnancy Bill.

WOMEN’S AGENDA: Anti-discrimination and Violence Against Women and Children 

Filipino women are extremely vulnerable to violence, especially amidst a worsening economic crisis. According to the Philippine National Police (PNP), there were 12,046 cases of various types of violence against women from January to November 2024—a conservative figure due to the serious underreporting of VAW.  This means that an estimated 36 women per day experienced violence during the said year. 

Recognizing the urgent need to protect women and victim survivors, GWP sought the approval of the following laws:

  • RA 9262 or the Anti-VAWC Law of 2004 (Co-author)
  • RA 11648 or the End Child Rape Law
  • RA 9775 or the Anti-Child Pornography Act of 2009 (Co-author)
  • RA 11313 or the Safe Spaces Act (Principal author)
  • HB 8009 – Anti-VAWC Law amendment (inclusion of Electronic VAW and penalty increase)
  • Adoption of House Resolution No. 650 for the ratification of ILO Convention 190 that seeks to eliminate violence and harassment in the world of work

GWP has also persistently fought for the rights of women and the LGBTQI+ community. It continues to advocate for the passage of the SOGIESC Equality Bill and the Absolute Divorce Bill which has been approved on the third and final reading in the House of Representatives. It also co-authored RA 9710 or the Magna Carta of Women.  

In addition to these laws, GWP also championed the following legislation in support of CHANGE:

  • RA 11058 or the Occupational Safety and Health Law
  • Magna Carta for Daycare Workers (House approved)

It also continues to call for the removal of regressive taxes that put additional burden on women such as the Value Added Tax, Excise Tax, and the Oil Deregulation Law. GWP also seeks to abolish the Rice Tariffication Law. Furthermore, it continues to advocate for genuine agrarian reform, national industrialization, and the implementation of the ₱1,200 national minimum wage based on the computed Family Living Wage—not band-aid solutions, but structural changes for the long-term benefit of women and the people. 

Nearly a decade later, the demand for genuine change from women remains strong, as substantiated by the current status of women and the findings of CWR’s latest survey. Since winning a seat in Congress in 2004, GWP has consistently amplified women’s calls by advancing legislative efforts that have led to several landmark laws. 

Coming from the people’s movement itself, Gabriela understands the deeply rooted ills of society that bar women from truly advancing. Without their representation, women risk losing their space, especially in a political environment that deliberately discriminates against, marginalizes, and stifles women’s voices. 

CWR stands in solidarity with the Gabriela Women’s Party in their fight for women’s rights and welfare inside and outside Congress.

Continue the struggle for women’s genuine political representation!

Center for Women's Resources Statements and Media Releases 0 Comment

The history of women’s struggle for the right to vote was born out of decades of militant and united action among women. It is through militant action that women’s basic rights can be achieved and legitimate demands be acted upon. It is also through militancy that these rights are retained, defended, and actualized.

Since the Spanish and American colonial periods, women have joined underground resistance movements in efforts to liberate the Filipino people from colonizers. From the Suffragists who campaigned for women’s right to vote and access education and from the Martial Law era, where women workers and leaders were martyred in the fight against dictatorship, to the ongoing struggles of thousands of women fighting for our rights and freedom up to this day. The struggles of Filipino women have always been linked with the struggles of the broad Filipino masses towards sovereignty and social justice from the exploitation of the ruling class.

In these 2025 midterm elections, we are bearing witness to a systematic attempt to silence women. We have seen how those who boldly resist political dynasties and big business interests—forces that have hijacked the Philippine party-list system—are met with blatant and normalized red-tagging, harassment, and unexplained anomalies during the election process. It hasn’t even been a century since women’s suffrage was won in the Philippines in 1937, yet the few genuine avenues for women’s political representation are already being deliberately targeted and forced out of the field.

It is without a doubt that women’s political participation does not begin and end during elections, but increased participation through genuine representation will help address gender disparities and ensure that laws address the needs of women and marginalized sectors. Thus, now more than ever, we must increase our tireless action, resist fascist forces, and hold accountable the perpetrators of this systemic repression to achieve our desired real change. We must take inspiration from the women who have gone before us, and we must not allow the hard-earned victories of our movement to be erased. Organize, mobilize, and demand accountability, transparency, and genuine representation in our political system!

Women’s Group Demand Accountability Post Election

Center for Women's Resources Statements and Media Releases 0 Comment

The Center for Women’s Resources (CWR) stands with pro-democracy groups in demanding full transparency from the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) on the May 12 electoral process. We echo urgent calls for clarity and accountability on the alarming number of issues related to the automated counting machines (ACMs).ACM-related issues, as well as cases of voter disenfranchisement and other related election day concerns raise questions on the integrity and credibility of the recent electoral process and the public’s trust in the democratic process.

From the reports collected by women’s electoral watchdog Babae Bantayan ang Eleksyon (BaBaE), 58.80% are due to ACM errors and sensitivities – including paper jams, ink problems, issues with pens and ink compatibility, rejected ballots, and invalidated votes due to technical flaws of the machine. These technical malfunctions did not only cause significant delays in the voting process in several areas but also disenfranchisement of voters who were unable to cast their ballots within the allotted time.

In addition to automated election system (AES) anomalies, the question surrounding the upgrade from version 3.4 to 3.5 of the ACM software remains unresolved, as Pro V&V has yet to fulfill its promise to release a revised Final Source Code Review Report to the public. Until this report is released and it is proven that the hash codes of versions 3.4 and 3.5 are identical, CWR, alongside pro-democracy groups, vow to remain vocal and vigilant. We also urge the COMELEC to improve its public communication and refrain from labeling Filipino voters as uninformed while expecting trust in the institution.

We assert that the COMELEC’s blatant dismissal of irregularities as “minor glitches,” claiming that the midterm elections proceeded smoothly, is false. In addition to the numerous anomalies and problems on election day, BaBaE Network and other independent election watchdogs documented cases of intensified and systematic red-tagging, harassment, and disinformation – targeting progressive groups and candidates several months leading up to election day. Such conduct further undermines the integrity and credibility of the electoral process.

Given the numerous loopholes and issues surrounding the automated election system, we join rights groups in urgently calling for the opening of the machines and a manual counting of the ballots to ensure that every vote is properly counted and the integrity of our elections is upheld. #