On International Women’s Day (IWD) 2020, United Nations (UN) Women recognizes the need to uphold women’s rights against the continuous injustices and stereotypes faced by women around the world. From the first Women’s Rights Convention for feminism in the 1700s with 300 attendees, the 2017 Women’s March has over 5.5 million supporters.
Today, there is a growing activism on gender equality online and offline platforms through public protests, talks and digital activism with hashtags, such as #HeForShe, #MeToo, and #FeminismFriday. Various talks on education, justice and peace have been made by women in position, regardless of race, gender, age and religion—those who took the opportunity to be the voice of those who are silenced.
Filipino women leaders continuously showcase their advocacy through different institutions, such as the government, National Commission on the Role of Filipino Women (NCFRW), FILIPINA Women’s Network and Women’s Action Network for Development (WAND). Moreover, this emergence is being continuously prevalent in different fields.
Lasallian women as the forefront of change
Various student leaders from academic to extracurricular activities are being spearheaded by women. Some, in their simple ways, empower women to stay above criticisms and continue to excel in their passion.
Here’s a glimpse of some of the Lasallian and Benildean women who are epitomizing, voicing out, and standing up as women advocates.
Errica G. Buenconsejo, 20
“As a woman, a human being, and a leader, we must stand up for ourselves, and stand up for each other.”
Errica is a Human Resource Management student leader who emphasized how women are “strong, resilient and brave,” particularly in facing current issues and disparities in society, as well as on how women must continue to fight for what is right. In line with this, she values communication and ensures that her subordinates find a “safe space” in her, in which she can empower them.
Apart from monitoring and measuring the council’s resources, policies and procedures in her organization—Benilde Central Student Government (CSG)—Errica is also a mental health advocate as she is inspired by Sen. Risa Hontiveros with her passion and service for the fighting for social justice, inequality, and gender rights issues.
Furthermore, in an interview with The Benildean, Errica stated that being a woman has never been easy; yet simple initiatives prove how one is true to herself and brave enough despite society’s standards upon making a change.
Aieshah Koleene D. Balmori, 19
“In my other organizations, many or most officers are women and I think it’s amazing seeing that they aren’t afraid to aim high and be inspiring leaders to others. […] For me, they serve as inspirations as amazing leaders.”
Being a Benildean Student Envoy and Volunteer Cluster Representative of the Benilde Committee on Student Involvement, Aieshah is inspired by her mother and grandmother. The Consular and Diplomatic Affairs (CDA) student leader looks up to Lady Gaga, Angela Merkel, Cher Wang, Sheryl Sandberg, and Emma Watson as these women are determined advocates of women empowerment.
In an interview with The Benildean, she emphasized how “women are seen driving change in different industries” through their own means.
“Some are very outspoken, speaking in front of a crowd, having a live feed worldwide. Some express it through their passions, be it through acting, artworks, or stories,” she added.
Moreover, she stated how she was amazed at women’s participation in her other organizations, such as BHive, BRCYC, or KVG; where they “aren’t afraid to aim high and be inspiring leaders to others.” In a similar manner, her board members in Benildean Student Envoys, who were all women serve as “inspirations and amazing leaders” to her. “They are detail-oriented, can balance their time well and provide efficient outcomes for our program,” she added.
Joren Manuel, 21
“Women are at the root of society, holding it together. Women are the thread that runs through the fabric of society. Acting as one, they will change the world.”
Taking up Interior Design, Joren strongly believes that “Gender equality is not only a fundamental human right, but a necessary foundation for a peaceful, prosperous and sustainable world.”
As a transgender woman, she thinks that a pageant is one of the best platforms to share one’s advocacy—like how her inspiration, Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray, has raised awareness about HIV/Aids and beneficial organizations like “Smile Train” and “Young Focus Philippines.”
With its diverse community she shared that some transgenders are being identified as male or female, while others are considered “as genderqueer, nonbinary, agender, or somewhere else on or outside of the spectrum of what we understand gender to be.”
Summer Dagal, 21
“I feel like women have always been vocal, it’s just that men are only starting to learn how to listen.“
De La Salle University-Manila’s (DLSU-M) Communication Arts graduate, Summer, shared that a woman’s excellence is a shared victory. Aside from being a public affairs program researcher, she’s also a photographer who expressed that gender inequality and prejudice are still present at work since photojournalism is a male-dominated profession.
With her passion to achieve gender equality in the workplace, she added a message to all women out there by saying, “Be yourself and love yourself, it sounds easy but it’s really difficult at this day and age where social media can make an impact on your self esteem.”
Overtime, more and more women are recognizing the relevance of their presence and voice to the community in addressing social issues, particularly on gender inequality and violation of women’s rights. Along with this realization, these women are encouraging others to be a part of the movement—of appreciating individual uniqueness, respecting individual rights, and promoting equality.
This vision is still far from its fulfillment; however, the cumulative efforts of women and men alike, are a reflection of society’s continuous progress and determination.
