Center for Women's Resources (CWR)

BAKIT PATULOY ANG PAGLABAG SA KARAPATANG PANTAO SA MINDORO?

Center for Women's Resources Advocacy, Resources January 16, 2026January 20, 2026 0 Comment

Sa kasagsagan ng selebrasyon noong bagong taon, pinaulanan ng bomba at bala ng 76th Infantry Battalion at 203rd Brigade ng Philippine Army ang Sitio Mamara, Barangay Cabacao, Occidental Mindoro na nagresulta sa pagkamatay ng tatlong batang Mangyan-Iraya at isang kabataang mananaliksik. Tinatayang 769 indibidwal o 188 pamilya ang sapilitang pinalikas dulot ng insidente.

Hindi ito ang unang kaso ng pambobomba ng Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) sa mga katutubong komunidad sa Mindoro. Ayon sa Defend Mindoro, sa kabuuan, 16,733 na ang bilang ng mga paglabag sa karapatang pantao sa buong probinsya mula Enero hanggang Nobyembre 2025. Sa nakalipas na taon, limang kaso ng pambobomba at strafing ang naitala sa probinsya. Tinatayang 1,080 indibidwal ang apektado sa mga operasyon ng militar sa mga bayan ng Baco, Pola, at Mansalay, Oriental Mindoro.

Higit na bulnerable sa ganitong sitwasyon ang mga kababaihan at bata. Noong Disyembre 2, 2025, dinukot at tinortyur ng 76th IBPA si Dolores Solangon, 47, isang Mangyan-Iraya. Siya ay itinali sa puno, binusalan, at pinaghukay ng sariling libingan habang iniinteroga ng militar at pilit na pinapasuko bilang miyembro umano ng New People’s Army (NPA).

Sa Sitio Malatabako kung saan higit isang taon na mula nang sapilitang binakuran ng Pieceland Corporation ang lupang ninuno ng mga katutubo upang magtayo ng subdibisyon, labis na takot ang nararamdaman ng mga kababaihan dahil sa pagmamanman at panggugulo ng mga armadong guwardiya sa mga nagtatangkang umalis sa lugar. Naiulat din ang panghahalik nang walang pahintulot at pananakit sa mga kababaihang Mangyan-Iraya.

Nilalantad ng sunud-sunod at dumaraming kaso ng paglabag sa karapatang pantao ng administrasyong Marcos Jr. ang adyenda nitong supilin ang paglaban ng mamamayan kontra sa mga proyektong nakaambang wasakin ang kanilang kabuhayan at paninirahan. Sinasalamin nito ang adyenda ni Marcos Jr. na pabilisin ang pagpasok ng malalaking korporasyon at mga proyekto nito, tulad ng large-scale mining at energy projects, at iba pang mga proyektong naglalayong dambungin ang likas na yaman ng bansa.

#ReleaseChantalAnicocheNOW #DefendMindoro #StopTheBombings #DefendFilipinoWomen

Stand with the people of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela! Unite against US intervention and wars of aggression!

Center for Women's Resources Solidarity, Statement January 6, 2026January 20, 2026 0 Comment

The Center for Women’s Resources (CWR) stands in solidarity with the people of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela as they resist direct US military and political intervention that undermines its sovereignty and violates international law.

What unfolded in Venezuela is an intervention waged directly against a sovereign nation that resists US domination in the region. Venezuela’s assertion of self-determination makes it a prime target of imperialist aggression.

The recent US military actions, including the abduction of President Nicolas Maduro and Cilia Flores, under the pretext of drug trafficking, expose the character of US intervention that is coercive and driven by pursuit of economic and political hegemony. Pres. Trump himself openly admitted the strategic importance of Venezuela’s vast oil reserves to the United States.

This is not the first time that the US has intervened in sovereign nations. From Palestine, Iraq, and Yemen, Latin America to the Philippines. The Philippine government must also be held accountable for allowing the Philippines to be used as part of the US war infrastructure through increased military presence, additional EDCA sites, and ever increasing joint military exercises. These forms of intervention not only secures economic and political interests for the US but expose women and children to further violence and abuse.

People across the world must unite to resist all forms of imperialist aggression and violations of national sovereignty. Defending Venezuela is defending the right of all nations to genuine peace and sovereignty. #

#HandsOffVenezuela
#LongLiveInternationalSolidarity See less

Position Paper on House Bill No. 5198 – Amendments to the Safe Spaces Act in the Philippines to Increase Penalties for Violations and Enhance Legal Protection Against Gender-Based Harassment Center for Women’s Resources 25 November 2025

Center for Women's Resources In the News December 2, 2025December 3, 2025 0 Comment

The Safe Spaces Act (Republic Act No. 11313), also known as the “Bawal Bastos Law,” aims to protect individuals, especially women, LGBTQ+ persons, and other vulnerable groups from gender-based harassment and discrimination in public spaces, workplaces, and online platforms.

The Center for Women’s Resources (CWR) supports the proposed amendments to increase penalties for violations, as this will strengthen accountability mechanisms and provide more robust protection for victim-survivors.

Rationale for increased penalties

Gender-based harassment has long been normalized, minimized, or dismissed. Increasing penalties will create a stronger deterrent effect and send a clear message that such behavior is unacceptable and will be met with serious legal consequences.

From January to November 2024, the PNP Crime Incidence Reporting and Analysis System recorded 458 violations of the Safe Spaces Act. This number is highly conservative, as cases of sexual harassment and assault remain significantly underreported due to fear of disbelief, retaliation, and widespread victim-blaming.

Gender-based harassment in workplaces

In 2023, seven female employees of the Bogo Water District reported that an administrative worker used his authority to sexually harass them. They stated that he sent sexually explicit messages, touched them inappropriately in the workplace, and, in one instance, pinned down a worker and attempted to rip her blouse.

When the victims sought help internally, the administration allegedly instructed them to stay silent to “protect the integrity of the office,” and no immediate investigation was conducted. Fearing for their safety and seeing no action from management, the women resigned or chose not to renew their job-order contracts.

The Bogo Water District incident illustrates the urgent need for stiffer penalties when perpetrators occupy positions of authority. The admin worker’s power allowed him to commit acts of sexual harassment, intimidate his victims, and delay accountability. The victims were left without meaningful protection, even forcing several to leave their jobs for their safety. This is a clear abuse of authority and a breach of public trust.

Sexual harassment in schools

Reports of sexual harassment in schools are also deeply alarming. According to the Department of Education’s (DepEd) Telesafe Contact Center Helpline, 70 incidents of sexual abuse were reported on Philippine campuses from November 2022 to November 2023, figures widely believed to be highly underreported. Numerous cases of sexual abuse in schools have also surfaced on social media, which further shows the severity and prevalence of the problem. In many of these cases, the abuse is carried out by individuals in positions of authority, including teachers, school personnel, and other officials.

Individuals who hold authority carry a heightened responsibility to act with integrity. For this reason, we support stricter penalties for perpetrators in positions of power. Enhanced consequences recognize the gravity of this breach of trust and deter future abuse by signaling that authority does not grant immunity.

Unsafe public spaces

In a survey conducted by SWS and UN Women in Quezon City revealed that more than 80% of women said the sanctions under the Quezon City Anti-Catcalling Ordinance would make them more likely to report incidents of sexual harassment they experience on the streets. In addition, 70% of self-admitted perpetrators believed these penalties would discourage them from committing such acts again.

Need for education and public awareness campaigns

As mandated by law, public awareness campaigns must continue to be implemented. Ongoing education and advocacy are essential to challenge feudal, patriarchal norms and attitudes that perpetuate abuse and discrimination. These campaigns should raise awareness about the provisions of the Safe Spaces Act and promote a broader culture of respect and equality.

Download position paper: https://centerforwomensresources.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/position-paper_Nov-25.pdf

On the P500.00 Noche Buena: Why are Filipino families forced to settle for less?

Center for Women's Resources Statements and Media Releases December 1, 2025December 2, 2025 0 Comment

The Center for Women’s Resources (CWR) raises serious concerns over the Department of Trade and Industry’s (DTI) recommendation of a ₱500 Noche Buena budget. While cost-saving guidance can be helpful, proposing this amount as a sufficient budget for a traditional holiday meal does not reflect the actual conditions faced by women and their families today.

Yet whether this amount is adequate is not even the most important question. The real question is: Why are Filipino families continually expected to make do with so little? Why is the burden always placed on households to “adjust” instead of on institutions to address the root causes of rising costs?

This kind of narrative does more than downplay the difficulty of preparing a holiday meal – it justifies the continued government inaction on the widespread economic insecurity affecting the majority of Filipinos. By focusing on how families can stretch ₱500, we divert attention from the far more urgent issues that demand action.

A dignified Noche Buena should not be reduced to an unrealistic benchmark. Instead of focusing on whether ₱500 can somehow cover a Noche Buena budget, the conversation should center on raising wages, ensuring price stability, and securing genuine economic security for Filipino families. These are the solutions that will allow households not just to get by during the holidays but to live with dignity year-round. #

Honoring Women Workers of the Philippines on Bonifacio Day

Center for Women's Resources Statement, Statements and Media Releases November 30, 2025December 2, 2025 0 Comment

On Bonifacio Day, we honor the courage of workers who rose against colonial oppression. Yet today, Filipino women workers continue to face exploitation, discrimination, and insecurity in a semi-colonial, semi-feudal society mired in chronic crisis.

This chronic crisis stems from a system sustained by the collusion of big businesses, landlords, and economic elites and a corrupt, bureaucrat capitalist state. This enables the exploitation of cheap labor and extraction of wealth and resources through neoliberal policies designed to benefit political dynasties, big landlords and local and foreign corporate interests. The situation of Filipino women workers reflects neoliberal, pro-corporate policies. This includes the promotion of labor market flexibility at the expense of workers’ rights. Contractualization, a core mechanism of labor flexibilization, continues unabated across industries, trapping women in low-wage, non-regular, and precarious work. Wages determined under the Wage Rationalization Law are far from enough amid soaring prices of goods and services. In economic zones specifically in CALABARZON, women workers earn as little as ₱479 for a grueling 12-hour work shift.

Economic vulnerability is made worse by austerity policies that starve social services. Households shoulder 44.7% of health expenses, while regressive taxes such as the 12% Value Added Tax (VAT) squeeze women who already struggle to provide for their families. The erosion of public services on health, education, and social protection result from a state more committed to debt servicing, corporate incentives, and militarized programs, than to the welfare of workers and poor Filipinos. For instance, the 2026 national budget funnels ₱978.7 billion to debt payments – more than the combined budgets for health, housing, welfare, and agriculture.

Corruption and bureaucrat capitalism heightens this neglect. Public funds are systematically diverted toward patronage politics, defense spending, and unaccountable spending while essential services deteriorate. Executive offices, including the Office of the President (OP), secured ₱4.5 billion in Confidential and Intelligence Funds without public evaluation. Defense spending increased by 14% to ₱430.9 billion, while the Barangay Development Program (BDP) under the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict ( NTF-ELCAC) tripled to ₱8.1 billion to fund questionable projects and red-tagging activities.

The lived experiences of women workers reveal the real weight of these conditions. In March 2025, electronics workers of Nexperia held a three-day strike against low wages and illegal dismissals. According to the women workers, they were “sobra-sobrang naabuso, sobra ang trabaho, mababa ang sweldo, kulang sa benepisyo, walang job security” (excessively abused, overworked, low wages, lacking benefits, no job security). Some women workers also face gender-based harassment, including predatory propositions such as “sige ire-regular kita pero kita tayo mamaya” (I will regularize you, but let’s meet later). After the strike, union leaders faced harassment, including one worker who was visited 10 times by state representatives pressuring her to disaffiliate. Workers find unions extremely valuable because they allow them to voice concerns and defend their rights.

The Center for Women’s Resources (CWR) joins all Filipinos in calling for urgent and comprehensive reforms to address these deeply entrenched injustices. We demand living wages, lower prices, an end to corruption, and the pursuit of national industrialization. We urge the passage of laws to ensure security of tenure, establish a national minimum wage, and protect workers’ right to organize and unionize. To advance these, we emphasize the need to support all forms of collective action led by the working class people to push forward these reforms.

This Bonifacio Day, CWR reminds the people that the struggles of today’s women workers are a continuation of the same spirit of resistance, courage, and commitment to justice that Bonifacio embodied. Their fight is part of the larger struggle for justice, dignity, and national freedom. #