MARCH is National Women’s Month. It reminds us the importance of women’s collective action in seeking social, economic and political rights.
Yes, there have been gains through the years albeit slow. Clearly, we still need to remain vigilant.
Come to think of it; a major part of women’s emancipation consist of economic empowerment – real, regular work with decent, living wages and safe working condition – and the right over their reproductive health.
The government should exert greater effort to make family planning and related health care services accessible to women, especially those in the rural areas. The Commission on Population says maternal mortality in the country remained high, mainly due to delays in accessing health care. According to the agency, many women delay the decision to seek health care and are unable to access health facilities, particularly in far-flung areas. The lack of equipment and insufficiency of health care providers also contributes to the high maternal mortality rate.
There are laws in place that allow women to access proper health care services. The Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Law, for instance, mandates both the national and local governments to provide reproductive health care services. The Marcos administration should make health care a priority, too, as the country failed to meet its target to reduce maternal mortality rate to about 50 per 100,000 live births in 2015.
We clearly need to take action on the issue of maternal mortality, apart from making sure that pregnant mothers receiving financial assistance under the conditional cash transfer program undergo regular health check-ups.
Women’s democratic rights have been recognized a hundred and six years ago, with the declaration of the International Women’s Day (March 8). This month is a reminder that we need to continue the struggle especially with the escalating want for regular jobs, decent wages, safe working conditions, and good reproductive health. It reminds us that as we hold up half the sky, we need to unceasingly strive for women’s emancipation from the bondage of an oppressive system.
