Women’s health and rights advocate Purita Raagas Sanchez passed away yesterday from lung cancer at the age of 74.
Sanchez, a registered nurse, was known for her pioneer work with women and gender equality , especially in the prevention of violence against women and children.
“Babes” as we fondly called her brought energy wherever she went, always full of passion for her advocacy for authentic women empowerment,” said Lolet Alino, executive director of the Legal Alternatives for Women Center Inc. (LAW Inc.) in Cebu City.
“As one of the original founders and a pillar of LAW Inc, she was most grateful to God that her energies and drive could find a venue here. This was after her trip with Sr. Mabe Alcoseba and other women after having participated in the International Women’s Conference in Beijing in 1995.”
Sanchez was in and out of the hospital since last year but was diagnosed with fourth stage lung cancer just two weeks ago, said her daughter Farina “Chinky” Dy.
Sanchez succumbed to complications at the North General Hospital in Talamban, Cebu City.
At the time of her death, she was preoccupied with a nursing review center that she set up with close friends even as she remained involved with her favorite advocacy of preventing violence against women.
In September 2010, Sanchez and her husband Dr. Melanio “Boy” Sanchez were chosen one of seven “Millenium Development Goal Warriors” by the United Nations, Probe Media Foundation and Kodak for the promotion of gender equality and women empowerment.
Her work was also recognized by the Provincial Women’s Commission as one of the “trailblazers” of Cebu.
The Sanchez couple started the Kauswagan Community Social Center in Cebu City, where she was coordinator. She reached out to homemakers and other women in the barangays, where domestic violence and lack of family planning strain limited resources. She was involved in health care since 1978.
Sanchez also helped organized the Men Opposed to Violence Against Women Campaign and was women sector representative from Cebu to the National Anti-Poverty Commission.
In December 2011, Sanchez was named one of the “Tatak UP” awardees of the University of the Philippines Alumni Association Cebu chapter for living up to the university’s ideals of excellence and public service.
Babes is survived by her husband, Melanio and three children Dy, Clarissa Sanchez-Ramirez and Neil Angelo Sanchez, 9 grandchildren and two great grandchildren.
Her remains are at the family residence in No. 124, 12th St., Dona Rosario Village, Mandaue City. A schedule for cremation and a memorial will be announced soon. /EGM