Women transform our lives

The Sidlak (Region VII Gender Resource Center) gathering was meant to be special. We invited partners from  government agencies, NGOs and the academe  to a roundtable discussion, a sharing of experiences and reflections on the theme of this year’s women’s month celebration which we interpreted as women’s role in transformative politics.

We clarified from the beginning that the lead sharers (Mads de la Cerna; Doray Masilang-Bucoy;  Leny Ocasiones; and Tessie Banaynal-Fernandez) were mainly to start the discussion; everyone was invited to bring in their thoughts.

Doray took the historical perspective. She showed us a short film of women in  various stages of history. She pointed out that the women of Malolos had to assure the authorities that their studying would be done in the evenings and not interfere with their domestic duties. The  long, wide skirts of the women of the Spanish colonial period served a patriotic purpose. While Marcelo del Pilar  was  in the Philippines he chose to expose Spanish tyranny in the cockfighting arena to be where the people were. A surprise surveillance of the repressive Spaniards made Plaridel resort to hiding under those  long wide skirts!

What struck me most in Mads discussion was her assertion that the authentic feminist was a joyful revolutionary who recognized men as potential allies in women’s liberation journey. For her dissertation (awarded for being a significant contribution to women studies), she studied in depth the lives of women leaders all over the country.  This revealed the importance of linkages between the community and the academe; among government, the academe, and grassroots women. Such concerted action insured the combination of theory and practice. Feminists in the academe would not be isolated in their ivory tower. Women in the communities would be provided direction in their efforts and initiatives.  At the same time the experiences from the grassroots would add substance to the evolving theories.

Tessie narrated her early realization of gender issues. She was with a group of organizers who had a strategy session. After a long discussion, the men left for a night out; the women were left to clean up. Weren’t we all in this together?

She emphasized the importance of the family and early education in shaping the values of citizens in a democracy, wherein citizens fully realize that they are the government. Hence, early on we all have to learn to take responsibility.

Leny  said poverty was  a major obstacle to women’s full participation in community life. Two leaders, Marianita Palasyo and Bebe Allere, of the Cebu Urban Poor Women’s League narrated their challenges as underprivileged women who had to live as informal settlers in the city.  Their stories revealed the perseverance and resourceful of the grassroots women as they coped with balancing the budget and the many tasks required of women as major child minders and treasurers in the family. One resorted to being a tri-sikad driver; the other had to be very imaginative in trying to survive domestic violence. Being a member of an organized group not only actually helped them cope with their problems but also enriched their personalities.

Jucel Jumao-as shared her experience with the Nutrition Council. She  happily declared how her learning with Sidlak  actually helped her effectively discuss gender mainstreaming with this group.

We had a sumptuous healthy merienda and everyone could leave with a  “bring home”. All the ladies brought with them flowers, too. These were prepared in gratefulness for women’s efforts and sacrifices, in recognition of the beauty and joy they bring to our lives.

The 13th women’s congress was led by Acting Gov. Agnes Almendras-Magpale and the Provincial Women’s Commission. The affair was organized by a team led by PWC commissioners   Hedda Largo and Portia Dacalos.

Hon. Julian Daan welcomed the women from all over the province in poetic Cebuano. He affirmed the equality of women and men and expressed his belief in the capacity of women of women to contribute in the advancement of Cebu.

In her keynote address, the governor  narrated the story of a 30-year-old graduate, who claimed he was able to persevere due to his mother’s support. She pointed out how the Cebu’s provincial board and legislative body had responded to the needs of families through the Women’s Development Code and the Comprehensive Code for Children and many other ordinances for women and children’s safety and to strengthen the family.  The most recent effort is the formation of the Anti-trafficking Technical Working Group, composed to respond speedily to concerns and emergencies very urgent in our locality.  For this the congress passed the resolution that would strengthen the effort to register all recruitment in all barangays all over the province.

The process was facilitated by PWC Commissioner Atty. Mai Seares-del Rosario, president of FIDA.

From the Heritage Cards Cebuana Trailblazers, the organizers selected Dr. Leilani Echaves-Paredes , Ms. Teresa Banaynal-Fernandez, Hon. Marilyn Yap, and Adela Avila-Kono to provide inputs on: Education, Media and Information Technology; Governance, Gender Equality, and Addressing Poverty; the Philippine Justice System; and the Special Concerns of Persons with Disabilities. Reactors were also invited: Dr. Rosario Ballescas, and Dr. Rhodora Masilang-Bucoy of the University of the Philippines and Mr. Alfredo Derecho of the SouthWestern University.