Sharmillah R.

Cagas IT4R4 November 22, 2024

Activity:
1. What social, political, economic events, and/or trends shaped the various generations of
the womens liberation struggle? Create a map of the significant events of the local and
international women’s liberation movements. Show the parallelisms and differences
between the women’s movement in the Philippines and in the West.

Late 19th to Philippines: Women's

Early 20th Suffrage Movement: The advocacy began in 1905 Parallelisms: Both
Century: The fight for women’s right to with the founding of the movements aimed for the
Early vote was a key issue Asociación Feminista right to vote and equal
Struggles for during this time in both Filipina. Early 20th-century access to education.
Equality Western countries and the efforts focused on equal
Philippines. education, opening Differences: The
institutions like the University Philippines took a bit longer
Access to Education and of the Philippines to women. to gain the right to vote, but
Employment: Women A major milestone came in it was done peacefully
pushed for access to 1937 with the grant of through a vote, not through
education and jobs as women's suffrage after a long protests.
industrialization expanded. successful referendum.

West: The organized

feminist movement began in
1848 with the Seneca Falls
Convention in the USA. New
Zealand was the first country
to grant women suffrage in
1893. The 19th Amendment,
ratified in 1920, secured
women's right to vote in the
USA.

Mid-20th West: The 1960s marked Parallelisms:

Century: Civil Rights and Gender the rise of Second Wave Both movements addressed
Post-War Equality: Women fought Feminism, addressing workplace discrimination
Feminism against workplace cultural and social and reproductive rights.
and the discrimination, legal inequalities. Betty Friedan's Women in both regions
Second inequities, and rigid gender The Feminine Mystique joined broader social
Wave roles. (1963) fueled feminist movements, such as civil
discourse, and Roe v. Wade rights (USA) and
Reproductive Rights: They (1973) legalized abortion in anti-dictatorship efforts
focused on gaining access the U.S. (Philippines).
to birth control and safe
abortion options. Philippines: In 1947, the Differences: Fighting
Philippine Commission on against imperialism and
Women (PCW) was authoritarian rule was
established for policy closely associated with
 advocacy. During the Filipino women's activism.
1960s-70s, grassroots
groups like GABRIELA
emerged to address labor
rights. In the Martial Law era,
women linked feminism with
democratic protests.

Late 20th West: The 1995 Beijing Parallelisms: Both regions

Century to Intersectionality: Platform for Action became a adopted international
Early 21st Recognition of how race, landmark for women’s rights. feminist frameworks like the
Century: The class, and sexuality The 2017 MeToo movement Beijing Platform for Action.
Globalization intersect with gender. spotlighted sexual Grassroots movements
of Feminism harassment, while efforts for have been critical in
equal pay and leadership addressing specific local
Gender-Based Violence: representation continue. issues.
Worldwide efforts to fight
domestic violence,
harassment, and human Philippines: In 2004, the Differences: The Philippine
trafficking. Anti-Violence Against women’s movement often
Women and Their Children includes strong
Act was passed. Activism community-based efforts
continues against human addressing rural and
trafficking, domestic indigenous women’s rights.
violence, and for Western movements are
environmental and more institutionalized,
indigenous women’s rights, focusing on systemic
led by groups like the representation.
Women’s Legal and Human
Rights Bureau.

Modern Era: Key Trends: West: Campaigns like Parallelisms: Both use
Digital Social Media: Used to engage men in gender social media for advocacy
Activism and mobilize, educate, and equality, while advocacy for and global solidarity.
Global advocate for feminist abortion rights persists after
Solidarity causes. Roe V. Wade's overturns in Differences: Philippine
2022. feminists often link activism
with broader human rights
Inclusive Feminism: and environmental justice
Feminism now includes Philippines: Online activism struggles.
LGBTQ+ rights and during the pandemic
support for people with spotlighted domestic
disabilities. violence and feminist
solidarity, while the 2020
Anti-Terrorism Act faced
criticism for undermining
feminist and human rights
efforts.
 2. Make a list of women you consider the ten most significant in history. These women can
be local or foreign. Explain why they are on your list. Then, consider if these women
advanced the cause of women’s liberation and how they did this.

Ten Most Significant Women in History

1. Rosa Parks sparked the Civil Rights Movement by refusing to give up her seat,
challenging segregation, and inspiring many.
2. Malala Yousafzai strongly advocates for girls' education, especially in places where it's
denied, representing resilience and determination.
3. Marie Curie was a trailblazer in science, breaking gender barriers and winning two
Nobel Prizes in physics and chemistry.
4. Emmeline Pankhurst led the British suffragette movement, fighting hard for women’s
right to vote.
5. Mother Teresa spent her life helping the poor and marginalized, showing compassion
and a commitment to humanity.
6. Angela Davis was a leading activist for social justice, fighting against racism, sexism,
and inequality.
7. Simone de Beauvoir, a philosopher and feminist, wrote The Second Sex, a key work in
feminist thought.
8. Gabriela Silang was a Filipino leader fighting for independence from Spanish rule,
inspiring women to join the cause.
9. Gregoria de Jesus (Oriang) was a young revolutionary who risked her life to carry
messages for the Katipunan, showing women’s bravery in the freedom struggle.
10. Lualhati Bautista, a famous Filipino author, used her writing to highlight social injustices
and empower women.

3. Locate your particular women’s sector and identify the major issues it faces. When in the
Philippine women’s movement did your sector’s problem(s) become relevant? Did these
issues rise to become part of the national discourse? What factors initiated them to be
considered at the national level? Write down the developments made to counter these
issues or problems.

Rural women, urban poor women, Indigenous women, and women in the workforce face
various challenges such as land rights issues, poverty, exploitation, and limited opportunities.
Youth and student women advocate for education and political participation, while LGBTQ+
women struggle with discrimination and identity issues. Survivors of gender-based violence fight
for justice and support. Despite these challenges, these diverse groups of women unite to
advocate for gender equality, human rights, and social justice.
Major issues faced by rural women include lack of land ownership and access to agricultural
resources, gender-based discrimination in farming communities, vulnerability to climate change
and natural disasters, and limited access to education, healthcare, and government programs.

When in the Philippine women’s movement did your sector’s problem(s) become
relevant?

● In the 1970s and 1980s, The women’s movement fought against the Marcos
dictatorship, with rural women actively advocating for agrarian reform.
● In the 1990s and 2000s, The issue of unpaid agricultural labor highlighted the struggles
of rural women in feminist and environmental debates.

Did these issues rise to become part of the national discourse?

● Yes, especially during discussions about agrarian reform laws like the Comprehensive
Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) in 1988. Groups such as Gabriela and Amihan
(National Federation of Peasant Women) highlighted rural women's concerns.

What factors initiated them to be considered at the national level?

● Local Mobilization: Women’s groups organize protests, lobby for change, and join
nationwide campaigns for land reform.
● Allied Movements: They work together with environmental and labor organizations.
● Media and Advocacy: Stories of rural women are shared through documentaries, news,
and campaigns by NGOs.

Developments to Counter Issues

● Policy Advancements: Inclusion of rural women in programs under the CARP and
Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program Extension with Reforms. with gender-focused
agricultural programs being developed.
● Capacity Building: NGOs offer training on sustainable farming and educate women on
their rights and leadership.
● Legal Support: Efforts are made to pass and enforce laws to protect rural women’s
rights.
● Economic Empowerment: Women’s cooperatives are encouraged, and access to small
loans is promoted.
● Awareness Campaigns: Events like the International Day of Rural Women raise
awareness of their contributions and challenges.