Women make noise to 'wake up' PNoy on International Women's Day

Women from all walks of life made their voices heard in celebration of International Women's Day on its 100th year on Tuesday. Groups representing various sectors assembled at Welcome Rotonda in Quezon City and Plaza Miranda in Manila before marching to Mendiola, Manila where they held a rally calling for President Benigno Simeon Aquino III to "wake up." "Noynoy kumilos ka! Ngayon na!" read the large banner beneath the stage where Gabriela and other groups like Migrante, Bayan, and Kilusang Mayo Uno gathered. Although many were wearing purple, the color representing women, the banners and placards were mostly red, reflecting the "rage" with which the women expressed their sentiments. "Save the lives of OFWs in danger situation," "Justice for comfort women," "Itigil ang karahasan sa kababaihan at bata," "Free all political prisoners - prosecute Arroyo and cohorts," "Presyo ibaba, sahod itaas," "Ipamahagi ang lupang Hacienda Luisita sa mga magsasaka," "Itigil ang demolisyon" - these were the cries that echoed throughout the rally.
Struggle continues Since International Women's Day was established at the International Conference of Working Women in Copenhagen in 1911, the struggle for womens' rights continues. Liza Maza, convenor of the newly-formed International Womens' Alliance, said the victories that women's groups have achieved over the years are still not enough. "Malinaw ang naging panawagan ng mga kababaihan noon. Magpakataong sahod, magpakataong kundisyon sa paggawa, karapatang pagboto, karapatan na mahalal at iba pang sibil at pulitikal na karapatan," Maza said. "Ang mga tagumpay na yan ay madaling binabawi ng imperyalista pandarambong at giyera na nilulunsad sa mga maliliit na bansa para lamang makapaghari ang imperyalistang Estados Unidos at ang kanyang mga kaalyado. Pinapababa ang sahod ng manggagawa, ginagawang biktima ang mga kababaihan ng kontraktwalisasyon at iba pang porma ng pangaapi sa kababaihan," she said. "Kaya nararapat lamang na sa espiritu ng tradition ng Marso 8, ating ipagpatuloy, itaas at isulong ang militanteng pakikibaka ng mga kababaihan," she added. She ended her speech with a quote from the novelist Arundhati Roy: "Another world is not only possible, but she is on her way. On a quiet day, I can hear her breathing." "Mayroong ibang mundo para sa mga mahihirap at inaapi. Mayroong ibang mundo na papalit sa mundong ito ngayon na mapagapi at mapagsamantala. Ibang mundo para sa ating mga kababaihan," said Maza. President "less attractive?" Gabriela secretary general Lana Linaban said the President is becoming less and less attractive to women. "Hindi lang mambobola, pero siya ay ubod ng tamad. Nakita niyo po ba, hanggang ngayon natutulog pa, naka pajamas," she said, referring to a paper mache of Aquino as a "sleeping giant President" surrounded by giant women bearing the slogans demanding jobs, land and social services. "Ang bawa't isa sa atin ngayon ay bitbit ang mga hinaing ng daan-daang libong mamamayan ating nakakasalamuha sa araw araw nating pag-oorganisa at pagpapakilos," said Linaban. After her speech, the rallyists made noise to "wake up" the President. High cost of living "Hindi na natin matandaan ang presyo ng mga bilihin dahil tuwing gigising tayo, nadadagdagan ang presyo," said Nanay Nena Guerrero, tagapangulo ng Samahan ng Maralitang Kababaihang Nagkakaisa. "Kung mag-ikot kayo, halos pareparehas ang ulam sa araw araw. Kung ano ang maabutan ng kanilang kakarampot na sahod, yun na lang ang magiging ulam," she said. "Presyo ibaba, sahod itaas, 'yan ang sigaw noong 1911, bakit yan parin ang sigaw ng mga kababaihan ngayon? Tiningnan namin kung magkakasya ang minimun wage pagkatapos mabawas ang bahay, kuryente, tubig, at iba iba. Ang natira, alam niyo kung magkano? 130! Ito ay para sa pagkain ng apat na miyembro ng pamilya para sa maghapon," said Nenita Gonzaga, vice president for women of KMU. "Ang karamihan ng pamilyang Pilipino ay hindi na kumakain ng tatlong beses sa isang araw, hindi pa ba kikilos ang pamahalaan para bigyan ng kaunting ginhawa at alwan ang maraming pamilya?" said Gabriela partylist representative Luzviminda Ilagan. She joined the women's calls for the Aquino government to uphold women's demands for jobs, land and social services. "Dapat maunawaan ng pamahalaang Aquino na mahirap nang magalit ang taong gutom," Ilagan said. – VVP, GMA News