FIGHT FOR WHAT IS TRUE AND RIGHT: LET'S CONTINUE TO BE ADVOCATES FOR WOMEN'S RIGHTS

The image is designed by the blogger. 

 THEMATIC ASSESSMENT ICT 

Living in a society wherein our ancestors and their culture passed unto us revolved around judging and seeing women as inferior, made women of today go through so many challenges and act and be in a certain standard that the society; have put unto them. As of today, for me, being a woman is one of the toughest things a person can go through especially we live in a patriarchal world wherein men are usually the ones that are given the opportunities and privileges rather than them. This means that women have little to no support at all.

The image is designed by the blogger. 

That is why the battle for gender equality started and is still ongoing. A lot of women back in the old days are deprived of so many opportunities such as education, healthcare, and even rights. Biguenas were not exempted and also faced what women of different ethnicities and nationalities have also experienced. They experienced discrimination, violence, and were even set to do tasks that are “only fit for women” and never to interfere with “jobs that are only for men”.

But as time goes by, a lot of changes has been established, they have given the rights that are needed and their voices have been heard but although, a lot has changed over the past few years, this doesn’t cover up the fact that women needed to voice out their struggles in everyday life and amplify it, just so they can have their rights. These days, laws protecting women have been passed and became a big step in achieving gender equality but even though some laws have been passed and are being observed in the community, we cannot deny the fact that our society would still bring down and shame women. Although, a lot of people of today and even during the colonization of Spain in our country criticized women, that didn’t stop Biguenas and Filipinas to still make changes in our country and leave an impact.

Gabriela Silang 

Biguenas, just like any other women in the Philippines proved time and time again that they too possess different skills, and talents that should be given proper recognition. Biguenas such as Gabriela Silang (who led an army to revolt and fight against Spain) and Leonora Florentino (the mother of Philippine women’s literature and made stories and compositions surrounding women) gave exceptional contributions and made sacrifices for our country to achieve freedom. Let’s also give light to the contribution of the women in our country, they have made revolutionary actions that helped and contributed to the improvement of our country in fields ranging from medicine to literature such as Fe Del Mundo, who invented an incubator and made health care accessible to the poor; Lualhati Bautista, who made short stories to make the general public open its eyes on political issues; and many more. They proved that being a woman should never be a hindrance to strive success but should be a motivation and inspiration to do our best especially in a patriarchal society

A Biguena giving  a health worker her 
second dose of COVID-19 vaccine. 

During this pandemic, we saw how courageous and strong biguenas are since it is they who are currently dominating the health force, who are sacrificing their health and well-being just so they can treat patients who tested positive for COVID-19 properly. If we look at the hospitals that are in Vigan, we can observe and notice that it is women who are the ones administering medicines to patients; doing constant and continuous check-ups on them, and providing them the care that they need. Biguenas are also the ones who went from door to door in every household in Vigan and asked for information to get the citizens registered for the vaccine. 

With the work and passion that they have shown and expressed, it is clear that the level of dedication they put into their work is remarkable and should be credited. They proved that even though they are women that are looked down on by our patriarchal society, they can do what men can do and possibly even better.

The image is designed by the blogger. 

Women are truly capable of doing any task and we should never deprive them of opportunities and chances for them to show their abilities; we should build each other up, empower, inspire, and fight alongside them with their battle on gender equality whether you may be a man or a woman. In the battle towards a gender-equal country, women shouldn’t be the only ones participating because if we want to achieve this faster, men should also contribute and also be advocates. The idea that women should be given rights doesn’t equate to men losing any rights. The goal of feminism is not to degrade men but for all genders to achieve equality and for women to have their rights around the world. We should stand up for one another and fight for what is true and right. If we want our society to get rid of cultures and traditions that are harmful and directed negatively to women, we should start and do actions that are necessary and important. We should redirect our actions and way of thinking. We should continue to empower and embrace them in society and influence others to do the same. As students, we can do our part by using our knowledge and intelligence to educate the masses on gender equality and use our voice to be a medium of truth and gender justice.   

Sa mga kababaihan ng Ilocos at ng mundo, 

Huwag tayong mawawalan ng pag-asang babago ang lipunan at pakikitungo nito sa kababaihan. Kailangan na tayo ay maging matapang at sama-sama sa pakikibaka at pakikipaglaban sa inyong mga karapatan  tungo sa isang bansa at mundong pantay at patas. Ipagpatuloy niyo ang pagiging inspirasyon sa karamihan. Mabuhay po kayo!

 Robellro T. Bartolome 

 

REFERENCES

Gabriela Silang: Anti-colonial fighter in the Philippines. (2007). [Image]. Retrieved from https://liberationschool.org/07-04-27-gabriela-silang-anticolonial-f-html/

Vigan City PH. (2021). 2nd Dose Vaccination of Healthcare Workers [Image]. Retrieved from https://www.facebook.com/vigancityph/photos/pcb.4205795516133236/4205788899467231