Gabriela to lead actions on International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women
All over the world on November 25, women will be holding mobilizations, protest actions and awareness-raising activities such as lectures, conferences, round table discussions, cultural fora and press conferences to condemn violence against women and imperialist aggression.
By INA ALLECO R. SILVERIO
Bulatlat.com
Gabriela Women’s Network and the International Women’s Alliance (IWA) have issued the call to all women from all walks of life to join the internationally-coordinated actions on November 25, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. The IWA said that all over the world on November 25, IWA-allied groups will be holding mobilizations, protest actions and awareness-raising activities such as lectures, conferences, round table discussions, cultural fora and press conferences to condemn VAW and imperialist aggression.
In the Philippines, women’s group led by Gabriela will hold a protest in Mendiola at 1 p.m.. Earlier in the day, however, the Manila City government through the office of Mayor Lim will open an exhibit and launch the city hall’s legal assistance program for women-victims.
Earlier this week, Gabriela Women’s Party’s two representatives in Congress opened a photo exhibit entitled “The Seven Deadly Sins Against Women.”
GWP Representatives Luz Ilagan and Emmi De Jesus were joined by Pangasinan Rep. Gina De Venecia and officers of the Center for Women’s Resources, and Just Associates. The photo exhibit which runs until Nov. 29 at the Ramon V. Mitra Hall features photographs and illustrations by various artists and photojournalists . The themes portrayed are rape and incest; domestic violence; sexual harassment; sex trafficking; white slavery and prostitution; discrimination in the workplace; inaccessibility of health services; and state-instigated violence.
Former political prisoner and spokesperson of the human rights group SELDA Angie Ipong also delivered a message. She spoke about her ordeal as a victim of state-instigated violence and stressed the importance of women’s participation in the fight against violence. Ipong, 67, was illegally arrested, manhandled and tortured in March 8, 2000. Also present during the exhibit opening were Mercy Castro of the Morong 43 who was denied health services despite her difficult pregnancy in jail; and family members of Ampatuan Massacre victims.
Also present at the exhibit opening were Bulacan Rep. Linabelle Villarica, Kabataan Rep. Raymond Palatino,and ACT Teachers Partylist Rep.Antonio Tinio.
It was also announced that on December 2, a film about women political prisoners “Ka Oryang” is also scheduled to be shown at the UP Film institute. Part of the proceeds will go to the legal and campaign fund for the immediate release of Maricon Montajes, a B.A. Film student in University of the Philippines, a media practitioner, a woman political prisoner in the Batangas City Jail.
Prosecute the former president for crimes against women
The two GWP lawmakers, in the meantime, declared their full support for calls for the prosecution of former president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo for cases of plunder and human rights violations.
“We demand the immediate prosecution of Mrs. Arroyo and hold her accountable for the human rights violations committed during her term. We demand that President Benigno Aquino III facilitate the prompt and expeditious handling of these cases. His failure to do so will make him an accessory to the impunity and violence perpetrated by the Arroyo regime.”
Ilagan who hails from Mindanao said two years after the death of 58 women and men, including 32 journalists in the Ampatuan Massacre, 103 of the 196 suspects have not been arrested and only two of the principal suspects have been arraigned..... MORE
Source: Bulatlat.com
URL: http://bulatlat.com/main/2011/11/25/gabriela-to-lead-actions-on-international-day-for-the-elimination-of-violence-against-women/
1 comment
ang kawawang si gloria. dami palang babaeng naging desaparecidos/napatay extrajudicially sa ilalim niya, ah.
"For her part, de Jesus said, the violence and persecution that women endured under the regime of the country’s second woman president cannot be underscored enough. “Let us not forget Eden Marcellana, Benjaline Hernandez, Liliosa Posa, Sherlyn Cadapan and Karen Empeno. Let us not forget the thousands of human rights workers, indigenous people, women, children, students, and journalists, who were victims of her extra-judicial killings and enforced disappearances.”"
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