Cordillera women’s group observe 15 years of struggle 05-10-23

	NORDIS WEEKLY October 23, 2005
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Cordillera women’s group observe 15 years of struggle
BAGUIO CITY (Oct. 21) — Over 160 representatives of women’s groups under the leadership of Innabuyog-Gabriela from all the provinces of the region attended the Innabuyog-Gabriela held its 5th regional congress from October 19 to 20, marking the 15th year of unwavering commitment to advance women’s rights and welfare. Innabuyog-Gabriela regional chair Leonora Membrot said that the past 15 years have been very fruitful. She said that despite the rough times and slip-ups Innabuyog has been in the forefront in confronting militarization, destructive development projects and economic problems. “Those who were breast feeding their children then now have their grandchildren. Our children then who used to tag along are now amid our ranks fighting the same battle. Our children have inherited our struggle and hopefully their children and grandchildren too,” she declared. Innabuyog Secretary General Vernie Yocogan-Diano disclosed that Innabuyog now has 124 women organzations from 98 all over the region in 2003. Participants to the said congress, mostly peasant women, revealed during the sharing of provincial chapters revealed that more than discrimination and sexual abuse, their leading problem is worsening poverty brought about by government neglect and the current economic crisis. Case studies from Kalinga highlighted the plight of peasant farmers involved in palay production earn a net income of around P9,000 in three months. This is true for farmers who have at least 0.38 hectares of land. In Mt. Province, women are paid P160 while men are paid P250 for a day’s work in the rice fields if they bring their own lunch. If the employer feeds them, women are paid P100 while men receive P200. Aside from these, women peasants are not spared from the impacts of liberalization on the agriculture industry. The problems of militarization even worsen with Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s (GMA) counter insurgency program. Peasant women are victims of government neglect of social services like health care and education. Lack of job opportunities in the interior villages continues to drive Cordillera women to seek employment abroad. According to National Statistics Office (NSO) 2004 data, out of the 32,000 overseas Filipino workers from the region, 25,000 are women and only 7,000 are men. Innabuyog-Gabriela leaders and members vowed to continue to persevere in advancing not only women’s rights and welfare but the rights of all Filipinos, men and women alike. “It is only when the people are victorious that women in the Cordillera can enjoy genuine freedom from violence and exploitation,” an Innabuyog statement read. # Kim Quitasol for NORDIS
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	NORDIS WEEKLY October 23, 2005
Home \| To bottom	Previous \| Next
Cordillera women’s group observe 15 years of struggle
BAGUIO CITY (Oct. 21) — Over 160 representatives of women’s groups under the leadership of Innabuyog-Gabriela from all the provinces of the region attended the Innabuyog-Gabriela held its 5th regional congress from October 19 to 20, marking the 15th year of unwavering commitment to advance women’s rights and welfare. Innabuyog-Gabriela regional chair Leonora Membrot said that the past 15 years have been very fruitful. She said that despite the rough times and slip-ups Innabuyog has been in the forefront in confronting militarization, destructive development projects and economic problems. “Those who were breast feeding their children then now have their grandchildren. Our children then who used to tag along are now amid our ranks fighting the same battle. Our children have inherited our struggle and hopefully their children and grandchildren too,” she declared. Innabuyog Secretary General Vernie Yocogan-Diano disclosed that Innabuyog now has 124 women organzations from 98 all over the region in 2003. Participants to the said congress, mostly peasant women, revealed during the sharing of provincial chapters revealed that more than discrimination and sexual abuse, their leading problem is worsening poverty brought about by government neglect and the current economic crisis. Case studies from Kalinga highlighted the plight of peasant farmers involved in palay production earn a net income of around P9,000 in three months. This is true for farmers who have at least 0.38 hectares of land. In Mt. Province, women are paid P160 while men are paid P250 for a day’s work in the rice fields if they bring their own lunch. If the employer feeds them, women are paid P100 while men receive P200. Aside from these, women peasants are not spared from the impacts of liberalization on the agriculture industry. The problems of militarization even worsen with Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s (GMA) counter insurgency program. Peasant women are victims of government neglect of social services like health care and education. Lack of job opportunities in the interior villages continues to drive Cordillera women to seek employment abroad. According to National Statistics Office (NSO) 2004 data, out of the 32,000 overseas Filipino workers from the region, 25,000 are women and only 7,000 are men. Innabuyog-Gabriela leaders and members vowed to continue to persevere in advancing not only women’s rights and welfare but the rights of all Filipinos, men and women alike. “It is only when the people are victorious that women in the Cordillera can enjoy genuine freedom from violence and exploitation,” an Innabuyog statement read. # Kim Quitasol for NORDIS
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