As the Philippine government hosts the International Conference on Women, Peace, and Security from October 28–30, the Center for Women’s Resources (CWR) expresses its deep concern in light of the ongoing and relentless attacks against Filipino women.
The Philippines have witnessed a disturbing trend of militarization and violence that disproportionately affects women. The total number of victims of various human rights violations has reached millions since Marcos Jr. took office as president in June 2022. This includes threat and harassment, forced evacuation, bombings, among others. There are 755 political prisoners held in various detention facilities nationwide as of June 30, 2024, with 103 of them arrested under the Marcos Jr. regime. Of this number, 147 are women, and more than half are farmers. There are 21 women victims of extrajudicial killings and four cases of enforced disappearances of women. The government’s collusion with foreign military powers exacerbates these kinds of violence, undermining the very rights and protections that such conferences purport to uphold.
The current geopolitical landscape, dominated by the United States’ militaristic strategies, uses the language of gender equality and women’s rights as a pretext for further military and economic intervention in the Asia-Pacific region. This is particularly troubling as the US seeks to entrench its influence against rising powers, such as China, under the guise of promoting peace and security.
The expansion of foreign military presence in the country poses additional vulnerabilities to women and all Filipino people. Earlier this year, more than 16,000 troops, including military personnel from Australia and France – joined the annual Balikatan exercises. In July 2024, the US government announced $500 million for the purchase of defense equipment and military services, purportedly to boost the country’s external defense capacity at a time of growing friction with China, particularly in the South China Sea.
In addition, the proliferation of Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) sites and continuous military exercises across the country indicate threats to our security, and the vulnerability of women to abuse. Numerous cases of human rights violations and abuse of women have been recorded since the time of the US military base presence in the country and with the regular conduct of Balikatan exercises.
Women’s rights, peace, and security cannot coexist with militarization and oppression. Instead of facilitating US interests, we call for genuine efforts that prioritize the safety, dignity, and rights of Filipino women and ensure that their voices are central to any discourse on peace and security. Alongside this, we hold the Philippine government accountable for its actions and demand that it uphold the rights of women in the Philippines, rather than using them as mere rhetoric in the service of foreign agendas. #
