"Despite the pandemic, the Filipina will continue fighting"
by Kat Ulrike
Warm, Patriotic greetings.
At first, this note commemorates today the landmark declaration of the International Working Women's Day that celebrated since it's inception in the early 20th century. In this historic day where women is being hailed as contributors to society, a force to recokoned with, and to to assert its rights and welfare, this note recognises the fierce tradition of women in resisting, fighting against the rotting order and its continuity under Duterte.
That even in this time of COVID19 pandemic, Duterte remains misogynistic in his stance towards women. Be it in his past statements like "shooting in the vagina" to those of belittling Vice President Leni Robredo, his stance shows his deeply-entrenched sexism that downplays his "recognition of women's courage and determination." It is not surprising, for like any other statements from the order, that it either failed to recognise serious matters faced by women, if not downplaying it especially if that involves disastrous policies and his persecution of women actively involved in opposition against his wishes.
At present, the Filipina is actively involved as frontliners be as medical practitioners, factory workers, office employees, to those of academe and in various sectors of society. The crisis brought by the COVID19 pandmic has highlighted both the centrality of their contributions and the disproportionate burdens that women carry- that like any other Filipinos affected by the pandemic-driven crisis, the Filipina in a time of COVID19 faced less government support, low wages, high costs of living, and various forms of repression and disenfranchisement, as existing and newly-passed laws and policies under the Duterte administration aggravates problems such as on agriculture after the Rice Tarrification Act and other neoliberal-oriented agricultural policies, the rising costs of commodities brought by TRAIN and other laws dealing with "economic recovery", the displacement of communities after "Build Build Build" and various "developmental projects", and last but not the least, the harassments and threats through the Anti Terrorism Act and the police/military operations targeting those strongly against the administration.
But this doesn't stop the Filipina to fight back regardless of the moves brought by the order. Even in this commemoration whose beginnings as fundamentally radical in character, efforts of the putrid system to dilute class politics and inspiration from radically-minded feminists behind this March 8 event rather failed to "achieve" as this is more than just a celebration, but also of reaffirmation of this historical struggle that created heroes and martyrs out of women, and today, pays tribute to their lives and labours, and vows to struggle fruther with more fervour and resolve. This note also laud those who promote reforms generated by progressive legislators, especially with today's assertion of a sound alternative programs to uplift affected workers and frontliners in this time of pandemic and an active opposition against policies that favours entrenched interests (all in the name of "economic recovery"), but genuine emancipation of women can only be achieve by dismantling this rotting social order and its existing class structure that engenders the oppression not only women but of other classes and sectors, victims altogether in the semi-colonial and semi-feudal society.
To cut this note short, that despite the pandemic and the continuing disenfranchisement, the Filipina will continue fighting. Taking the lessons of history and to stand along with other oppressed folks, this isn't about equality alone, but full and effective participation in all spheres, of promoting empowerment, and ensuring welfare to each and everyone together in realising a just and lasting peace through genuine national and social change.