SUBIC BAY FREEPORT – Akbayan national spokesperson Risa Hontiveros encouraged women to push for their recognition as homemakers and working mothers as she addressed the women of the Subic Bay Freeport during the this year’s “Babae Po Ako-Year 6” forum held at the Subic Bay Exhibition and Convention Center last Friday.
The forum’s theme, “Ina ng Tahanan circa 2011”, tackled issues regarding challenges faced by working and stay-at-home mothers and was attended by womenfolk from the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), locator companies, schools, people’s organization, and the Aeta community in this free port.
“Ayaw na ayaw kong nakakarinig ng salita na housewife lang ako, homemaker lang ako, dahil iyan po talaga ang pinakamahalaga at pinakamahirap sa mga trabahong maaari nating gawin (I hate it when women say they are only housewives, only homemakers, because this is the most important and most difficult task that we do),” Hontiveros said.
Hontiveros noted that women, especially single mothers, should assert their rights and press for their welfare, including child support and employment opportunities.
She also noted that women who never had the chance to work should also be given pension in recognition of their work as dedicated housewives and home makers.
Working women, on the other hand, should demand for equal opportunity in the workplace, particularly equal pay and equal workload, she added.
The former Akbayan representative and now Akbayan spokesperson also touched on the issue of the Reproductive Health Bill, saying this is a secular issue not to be argued in a religious perspective. She noted that the bill seeks access to information regarding family planning, whether natural or artificial.
Women should always fight for their rights, Hontiveros stressed. “Sana hindi sa isang buwan kundi sa lahat ng buwan, hindi sa isang araw kundi bawat araw ay maigiit ng mga kababaihan ang karapatan, kagalingan at pananagutan natin sa lipunan,” she further said.
Hontiveros also sat as a panelist during the ensuing discussion, together with Dolly Yanan of Yokubari Foundation and Emily Pagal of Mondriaan Aura College. Herminia Magrata, a psychologist, Alma Bulawan of BUKLOD and Joy Bernardino of PREDA Foundation acted as resource persons.
According to Hontiveros, if the work women at home were converted in terms of gross domestic product, people would realize how valuable their work is.
She also noted that the role of homemakers is under-appreciated, undervalued and often invisible, when in fact their role is essential in the development of a society.
The other panelists also noted that women suffer intense stress, mostly because of their husband’s infidelity and issues on the family budget, both of which often lead to economic violence.
They also stressed that women have the right to say no, and to fight off marital rape.
In the same forum, the Olongapo City Medical Society, led by Dr. Eve Natividad, turned over to the SBMA some instructional materials on women’s health.
SBMA chairman Feliciano Salonga, who was present in the forum, meanwhile reiterated his support and expressed hope that the forum would continue to serve as an outlet for women to air their concerns.
The “Babae Po Ako” forum was conceptualized six years ago by Salonga as a way to celebrate the International Women’s Month. The first forum was held at the Formosa Hall of the Subic Bay Development and Management Corp. and was attended by 50 women. Every year, different speakers shared their experiences and thoughts regarding women empowerment.
The forum was organized by the SBMA, with the cooperation of the People’s Management Association of the Philippines-Subic Bay chapter, Mondriaan Aura College, and the Subic Bay Workforce Development Foundation, Inc.
The forum’s theme, “Ina ng Tahanan circa 2011”, tackled issues regarding challenges faced by working and stay-at-home mothers and was attended by womenfolk from the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), locator companies, schools, people’s organization, and the Aeta community in this free port.
“Ayaw na ayaw kong nakakarinig ng salita na housewife lang ako, homemaker lang ako, dahil iyan po talaga ang pinakamahalaga at pinakamahirap sa mga trabahong maaari nating gawin (I hate it when women say they are only housewives, only homemakers, because this is the most important and most difficult task that we do),” Hontiveros said.
Hontiveros noted that women, especially single mothers, should assert their rights and press for their welfare, including child support and employment opportunities.
She also noted that women who never had the chance to work should also be given pension in recognition of their work as dedicated housewives and home makers.
Working women, on the other hand, should demand for equal opportunity in the workplace, particularly equal pay and equal workload, she added.
The former Akbayan representative and now Akbayan spokesperson also touched on the issue of the Reproductive Health Bill, saying this is a secular issue not to be argued in a religious perspective. She noted that the bill seeks access to information regarding family planning, whether natural or artificial.
Women should always fight for their rights, Hontiveros stressed. “Sana hindi sa isang buwan kundi sa lahat ng buwan, hindi sa isang araw kundi bawat araw ay maigiit ng mga kababaihan ang karapatan, kagalingan at pananagutan natin sa lipunan,” she further said.
Hontiveros also sat as a panelist during the ensuing discussion, together with Dolly Yanan of Yokubari Foundation and Emily Pagal of Mondriaan Aura College. Herminia Magrata, a psychologist, Alma Bulawan of BUKLOD and Joy Bernardino of PREDA Foundation acted as resource persons.
According to Hontiveros, if the work women at home were converted in terms of gross domestic product, people would realize how valuable their work is.
She also noted that the role of homemakers is under-appreciated, undervalued and often invisible, when in fact their role is essential in the development of a society.
The other panelists also noted that women suffer intense stress, mostly because of their husband’s infidelity and issues on the family budget, both of which often lead to economic violence.
They also stressed that women have the right to say no, and to fight off marital rape.
In the same forum, the Olongapo City Medical Society, led by Dr. Eve Natividad, turned over to the SBMA some instructional materials on women’s health.
SBMA chairman Feliciano Salonga, who was present in the forum, meanwhile reiterated his support and expressed hope that the forum would continue to serve as an outlet for women to air their concerns.
The “Babae Po Ako” forum was conceptualized six years ago by Salonga as a way to celebrate the International Women’s Month. The first forum was held at the Formosa Hall of the Subic Bay Development and Management Corp. and was attended by 50 women. Every year, different speakers shared their experiences and thoughts regarding women empowerment.
The forum was organized by the SBMA, with the cooperation of the People’s Management Association of the Philippines-Subic Bay chapter, Mondriaan Aura College, and the Subic Bay Workforce Development Foundation, Inc.
