ILOILO City – Militant group Gabriela-Panay called on the government – particularly President Rodrigo Duterte – to respect women and uphold their rights.
It held a rally at Plaza Libertad yesterday as part of the International Women’s Day celebration.
“We call on to the President to respect women’s rights. Dapat i-provide niya ang mga programa nga makapaangat sa sitwasyon sang kababaenhan ilabi sa palangabuhian kag pag-involve man sini mismo sa political nga arena para mapaseguro niya ang iya kawsa, issues and concerns,” said Gabriela-Panay regional coordinator Lucy Francisco.
Gabriela also played down the statement of Presidential Spokesman Salvado Panelo that the situation of women in the country has improved.
“Makahalanusbo ang sitwasyon sang aton kababainhan. Nagalukdo sang tuman ka mahal nga presyo sang nagapanguna nga balaklunon kasubong sang pagkaon, nagsaka nga balayran sa tubig kag kuryente,” the group said in a statement.
It also lamented over limited health services and the fare increase.
“Tuga ini sang TRAIN Law ni Duterte. Nagapakita lang nga ang sitwasyon subong sang kababainhan, tama ka kadha,” said Francisco.
She added: “Padayon ang misogynistic nga ugali kag paglantaw ni Duterte sa kababainhan, labi na sa mga okasyon kag sa mga opisyal bisan pa hambalon niya nga joke lang.”
Gabriela will hold a women’s forum on March 15 at University of the Philippines-Main Campus Conference Hall.
Among the invited guests were Lisa Masa and former undersecretary of the National Anti-Poverty Commission and Gabriela Women’s Party representative Emmi de Jesus./PN
