Tag Archives: Kaisa Ka

[Event] Milenyors Noon, Millennials Ngayon: Karapatan ipinaglaban nila noon, isusuko mo ba ngayon? | Kaisa Ka

#HumanRights #Women

Milenyors Noon, Millennials Ngayon: Karapatan ipinaglaban nila noon, isusuko mo ba ngayon?

Taralets!
Ngayong Marso 8, 2021 sa alas 6PM Makilahok, makinig sa mga testimonya at kwento ng kababaihan sa ating pagharap ng mga hamon ng ating panahon.

#ragepinay

https://web.facebook.com/KAISAKAnational/photos/a.138170453598900/899812137434724/

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[Statement] KAISA KA stands up for Freedom of Expression and of the Press and the Rule of Law and Justice as significant pillars of Freedom and Democracy

KAISA KA stands up for Freedom of Expression and of the Press and the Rule of Law and Justice as significant pillars of Freedom and Democracy.

KAISA KA stands up for Ressa, a woman, a journalist, a staunch critic of DU30 administration.

KAISA KA condemns the conviction of Ressa for alleged commission of cyberlaw when the alleged “acts” took place long before the passage of the law for cyber law. The conviction is meant to clip and silence those who fight against the tyrannical, authoritarian, and misogynist administration.

Rule of law is fundamental fairness that binds freedom and democracy. The judicious application of the real essence of the rule of law is imperative considering this impacts our cherished freedoms of expression and of the press and to our treasured rights to information, due process, accountability of public officials, and a transparent, empowering government.

This administration has already owned the executive branch; coopted the legislative. And now the judiciary… a mockery of justice

Freedom of the press and speech stand for freedom of the people. It is the people’s stoutest weapon.

Our constitution and all organic laws of all free states provide that “no law shall be passed, abridging the freedom of the press and that no person shall be punished except for an abuse of that freedom.

KAISA KA believes that it is in the best interest of a civilized society to have a full and free discussion of government affairs and have the free liberty to comment upon the administration of government and guard against repressive measures. We cannot and should not speak in a whisper or with bated breath.

KAISA KA believes that it is our duty to bring to the bar of public opinion the conduct of government officials whose exercise of authority is conferred by the people. It is not only our right. It is our duty.

KAISA KA is one with every woman, every citizen, activist, human rights defender, every freedom-loving people in protest of this attack to our freedom and democracy.
Together, we will not be silenced and cowed.

We say NO to all forms of violence and tyranny.
Break the culture of silence, violence and impunity.

Atty. Virginia Lacsa Suarez
Chairperson-KaisaKa
SecGen-KILUSAN

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[Statement] Kababaihan, pinakamatinding tinatamaan sa krisis ng COVID19, GAD budgets, ilabas at direktang gamitin para sa kalusugan, kaligtasan at kabuhayan ng kababaihan -KAISA KA

Nasa interes ng buong sangkatauhan ang pagsugpo sa COVID 19. Bukod sa nakamamatay ay napakalaki na ang epekto at pinsalang dala nito sa ekonomya at lipunan sa daigdig.

Bago pa ang krisis ng COVID19 ay patong-patong na ang pahirap na dinaranas ng kababaihan— kawalan ng regular na trabaho, nakasadlak sa para-paraang trabaho, “unpaid family work”, kulang sa serbisyong medikal at sa iba pang batayang serbisyo, karahasan sa gitna ng gyera sa droga, at ang araw-
araw na diskriminasyon sa lahat ng aspeto ng kanyang buhay sa loob at labas ng tahanan; hanggang sa araw-araw na pambabastos at karahasan sa kanyang kasarian mula mismo sa Estado.

Sa gitna ng public health emergency, higit na peligro ang tama ng COVID19 sa kababaihan:

– Ang Pilipinas ang Top Exporter ng health workers, lalo na ng mga nurses at caregivers sa buong mundo. Mayorya nito ay mga kababaihan. Kung kayat sa pandaigdigang krisis na ito, naka-expose ang mga kababaihang Filipino healthworkers sa COVID19.

– Nuong 2017, 93,000 na Flipino nurses ang lumabas ng bansa na ang karamihan ay kababaihan,
– Sa buong mundo, ang ratio ng bilang ng Nurse to Patient ay 1:12. Ngunit sa Pilipinas, ang isang nurse natin ay nag-aalaga ng 60 pasyente sa mga hospitals (1:60). Samantala, sa Doktor, ang “ideal” na ratio ay 1:1000 populasyon; pero sa Pilipinas, mayroon lang tayong isang doctor sa bawat 33,000 na bilang ng mamayan.

– 11-14 na buntis ang namamatay dahil sa kawalang serbisyong-medikal. At pababa na ng pababa ang edad ng babaeng nabubuntis, sing-bata ng 11 taon, dahil sa kakulangan sa serbisyo sa reproduktibong pangkalusugan. Higit na mataas ang risk ng mga babaeng buntis dahil sa “physiological changes” na nangyayari sa panahon ng pagbubuntis, dagdag pa ang problema sa “mobility, emotional and psychological” na problemang nararanasa ng babae sa gitna ng pagbubutis.

– Samantala, sa usapin ng kabuhayan, 62% ng “unpaid family work” ay ginagampanan ng kababaihan; 70% naman ng gawain sa agrikultura sa kanayunan ay ginagampanan ng kababaihan; sa kalunsuran naman mayorya ng para-paraang trabaho ang kinasadlakan ng kababaihan dahil sa kakulangan ng ng industriyang magbibigay ng regular at nakabubuhay na sahod;

– At dahil sa laganap na kaisipang-patriyarkal, nasa balikat pa rin ng kababaihan ang pangangasiwa sa gawaing bahay at pangngalaga sa anak at kasamang may-edad.

Sa ganitong kalagayang panlipunan ng kababaihan at dahil sa ang babae ay nasa lahat ng sektor at pangunahing nakaharap sa buhay pakikibaka ng komunidad, kapag babae ang naapektuhan, magiging higit ang pagbilis ng “transmission” nito sa loob at labas ng kanyang tahanan.

Tunay na banta ang COVID-19 sa kalusugan at sa mismong buhay ng mamamayan, lalot nasa antas na ito ng community transmission. At nasa gitna nito ang masang anak-pawis kung saan pangunahin ang kababaihan.

Bagamat ang lahat ay pwedeng tamaan, mas malupit ang tama ng COVID19 sa kababaihang mahirap dahil sa kakulangan sa kapasidad at kakayahan na ingatan
ang kanyang kalusugann at kaligtasan: kahit anong gawin ng mahihirap sa squatters area, sa loob ng barong-barong, wala syang maiikutan o magagalawan ng hindi nya mababangga ang mismong kasama sa bahay; mahahawakan at mahahawakan nya ang lahat ng gamit; at ang maraming kabataan na mismong kalye ang tahanan, ang buo nyang pagkatao ay naka-expose na sa COVID19.

Kung kayat hindi magiging epektibo ang anumang solusyon sa pagpigil ng krisis ng COVID19 kung mula sa plano ng programa hanggang sa implementasyon ay walang- pagsasa-alang-alang sa napakahalagang papel ng kababaihan sa lipunan.

Upang mapatigil ang paglaganap ng COVID19, mapigil ang “community transmission” kailangan ang tiyak na mga hakbang para sa kalusugan, kaligtasan at kabuhayan ng ang kababaihan:

– I-prioritize ang mga kababaihan sa mahirap na komunidad sa pagbibigay ng “covid testing” lalo na ang mga matatanda, may-sakit at buntis;

– Agarang ilabas at gamitin sa pangangailangan at suporta sa kababaihan ang lahat ng GAD budgets;
o Bigyan ng financial assistance ang mga kababaihang nasa “informal work”; mga solo mothers at buntis.
o Tiyakin ang supply “personal hygiene” needs ng kababaihan;

– Agarang ilabas ang 4Ps allowance

– Tiyakin ang pagkain ng bawat pamilya sa “urban poor communities”, lalo na ang mga informal settlers at mga may sakit.

– Ayuda sa mga mamamayang magpopositibo sa COVID, magpapa-ospital man o mag-self quarantine tulad ng akses sa Philhealth lalo na’t naipasa na ang Universal Health Law.

KAISA TAYO SA PAGBAKA SA KRISIS NG COVID19!

PIGILIN ANG PAGLAGANAP NG COVID19.
TIYAKIN ANG KALUSUGAN, KALIGTASAN AT KABUHAYAN NG KABABAIHAN!

ATTY, VIRGINIA LACSA
Taga-Pangulo-Kaisa Ka
(Pagkakaisa ng Kababaihan para sa Kalayaan)

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[Statement] Fight to Build a World that Upholds the Rights, Welfare of Women -KAISA-KA

Yes, pushing for women’s rights, equal political representation, economic participation and access to opportunities, to be free of gender stereotypes and bias and to be free of violence and oppression remains relevant today as it was hundred years ago when the International Working Women’s Day was established.

For Pagkakaisa ng Kababaihan para sa Kalayaan (Unity of Women for Freedom) or KAISA KA which believes that women suffer from three-tiered oppression – national oppression which is present in neo-colonies like the Philippines, class oppression and gender oppression; women, along with men must work together to realize a world where women’s rights are upheld and promoted.

A Severely Unequal World

Global inequality has deteriorated to the point that the income of twenty-six billionaires equals the income of the bottom 50% of the world’s population of around 3.8 million people (Global Wealth Report 2018, Credit Suisse). This gap will widen further as we anticipate shutdowns and bankruptcies given sluggish global trade and investment due to the ongoing recession and expected economic crash within the year that is worse than the 2008 recession.

This in turn, will further exacerbate the already lopsided economic and political participation of women worldwide. As it is, only a quarter of women sit at the power table, with a negligible figure representing voices of grassroots women.
Globally, only 2/3 of women aged 25-54 are in the laborforce with many facing limited economic participation and access to economic opportunities as compared to almost 70% of males in the workforce according to the Global Gender Gap Report 2020 released by the World Economic Forum last week.

Of those that have paid work, almost half of the women earn less than their male counterparts. This means women are valued less in the workplace. And despite strides made in technology to ease the “deadening drudgery” of domestic work, they are expected by society to remain primarily in charge of care work and domestic work, which are often unpaid.

Violence Against Women

The United States remains bent on asserting its unipolar military supremacy in an increasingly multipolar economic arena. On top of trade wars between big power rivals US vs. China and Russia and against EU too, we see it throwing its military weight globally – presently engaged in seven wars from Africa to Middle East and engaged in interventionist activities in Asia, Latin America and Europe, including stationing foreign troops in the Philippines and elsewhere in the world.

In spite of UN Security Council Resolution 1325, which urges all actors to increase the participation of women and incorporate gender perspectives in all United Nations peace and security efforts. It also calls on all parties to conflict to take special measures to protect women and girls from gender-based violence, particularly rape and other forms of sexual abuse, in situations of armed conflict. Abuses continue, and justice-seeking for such remains slow.

This is on top of the disturbing statistic that one in five women experience violence, especially through technology such as cyber-harassment.

Push Back Now

Strides have been made globally to push back against inequality, patriarchy, violence and exploitation but still the challenge looms large as many governments worldwide increasingly lean towards the far-right spectrum, which is inherently anti-women.

In the Philippines, government pronouncements and policies undercut full realization of women’s participation in nation-building with its pro-corporate, misogynist and anti-people policies. It penalizes those who seek to uphold, justice, democracy, and freedom while reward those who have proven their personal loyalty, never mind if they are corrupt or abusive.

We need to promote a culture that values critical-mindedness rather than blind obedience, tolerance rather than hate and discrimination and genuine democracy rather than repression.

We women, along with men as our allies, need to fight for our freedoms. The economic and political empowerment of women will impact greatly in the common struggle against economic exploitation, cultural and political repression, state and class violence and the anti-imperialist struggle in general.

This is necessary to uplift the status of women in society, ensure that women can partake in a peaceful and prosperous society and positively impact in shaping the future generation. Only then can we realize a just and humans society worthy of women.

https://www.facebook.com/notes/kilusan-para-sa-pambansang-demokrasya/statement-fight-to-build-a-world-that-upholds-the-rights-welfare-of-women/3115203588534559/

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[Statement] Kaisa Ka stands up for Maria Ressa and a Free Press

Kaisa Ka stands up for Maria Ressa and a Free Press

Kaisa Ka stands up for freedom of expression and of the press. Kaisa Ka stands for Maria Ressa, a woman, a journalist, a staunch critic of the Duterte administration.

Kaisa Ka condemns the arrest of Ressa for the alleged commission of cyber libel when the alleged “acts” took place long before the passage of the Cybercrime Law.

The illegal arrest is meant to clip and render mute those who fight against the tyrannical, authoritarian and misogynist Duterte administration. This administration has already owned the Executive branch; coopted the judiciary with its selective application of the law, and has set it sights on media.

Freedom of the press and speech stand for freedom of the people, It is its stoutest weapon. Our Constitution, and all organic laws of all free states provide that “no law shall be passed, abridging the freedom of the press and that no person shall be punished except for an abuse of that freedom”.

Kaisa Ka believes in the best interest of a civilized society to have a full and free discussion of government affairs and have the liberty to comment upon the administration of government and guard against repressive measures. This can only be possible if the press is free to report and inform the public and are not sycophants of those in the halls of power.

We cannot and should not speak in whisper or exist with baited breath from fear of reprisal or censure. Kaisa Ka believes that it is our duty to bring to the bar of public opinion, the conduct of government officials whose exercise of authority is conferred by the people. It is not only our right. It is our duty.

Kaisa Ka is one with every woman, every citizen, activist and human rights defender in protest of this attack to our freedom. Together, we will not be silenced and cowed. We say no to ALL FORMS OF VIOLENCE AND TYRANNY.

Break the culture of silence, violence and impunity! Free Maria Ressa!

Reference: Atty. Virginia Suarez, Chairperson –KAISA KA (0908 8159923)

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[Statement] Tiraniko at sistematikong pagkitil sa kinabukasan ng kabataan ang pagpapababa ng edad sa responsibilidad sa krimen -KAISA-KA

Tiraniko at sistematikong pagkitil sa kinabukasan ng kabataan ang pagpapababa ng edad sa responsibilidad sa krimen

Mahigpit na kinokondena ng PAGKAKAISA NG KABABAIHAN PARA SA KALAYAAN (KAISA KA) ang galaw ng Mababang Kapulungan na pababain ang edad ng responsibilidad sa krimen sa siyam (9) na taong gulang.

Pangunahing obligasyon ng estado na tiyakin ang maganda, matiwasay at ligtas na kinabukasan ng kabataan sa pamamagitan ng mga batas at patakaran na magbibigay proteksyon sa mismong buhay at dignidad ng mga bata.

Kung kayat itinatakda ng ating Konstitusyon na bigyan ng pangunahing konsiderasyon ang interes ng bata sa lahat at anumang aksyon na may kinalaman sa kanila. At deklaradong polisiya ng estado na bigyang proteksyon at rehabilitasyon ang mga kabataang nasa gitna ng panganib na makaka-apekto sa kanilang kaligtasan at normal na pag-unlad na kanilang buhay at pagkatao.

Subalit nakakagalit na ang mismong mga mambabatas natin ang nanguna sa pagtalikod sa mandatong ito. Nakakagalit na ang ating mambabatas ang nanguna pa sa paglabag sa pinakamataas na batas— ang 1987 Konstitusyon.

Taliwas sa gustong palabasin ng marami nating mambabatas na ang nabanggit na panukalang batas ay pro-life at pro-children; ang katotohanan ay ang kabaligtaran: Ang panukalang batas na ito ay pagyurak sa karapatang-pantao ng mga bata; pagwasak sa buhay nila at pagkitil sa kanilang kinabukasan.

Sa pagpipilit na bigyang-katwiran ang nabanggit na panukalang batas, marami na diumano ang kabataan ang lulong sa droga at krimen , ito daw ay isang paraan para mabawasan ang krimen.

Taliwas ito sa ipinapakita ng datos na 2% lamang ng mga krimeng nangyayari ang kinasasangkutan ng bata. Samantala, napakaraming mga politiko at mga mismong nanunungkulang sa gobyerno ang napatunayang gumawa ng krimen at nagnakaw sa kaban ng bayan—- ni hindi pinarusahan; kahit nakakakulong na’y pinalaya naman.

Ang sabi ni Duiterte, hindi raw nya tatantanan ang mga bata.

Mga bata na lamang ba ang kaya (kinakaya at kinakayan-kayanin) ng Administrasyong Duterte? O mas tama bang sabihin na ang ating Kongreso ngayo’y umaastang malaking “bully” tulad ni Duterte?

Sabi ng mga tagapagsulong ng naturang batas, ginagamit diumano ang bata sa maraming krimen. Imbes na habulin ang mga gumagamit sa mga bata upang syang pananagutin sa batas, ang kakastiguhin ay ang mga bata. Pinupuntirya ang mga walang muwang at hindi ang mga taong nasa hustong edad at isip.

Ang sabi ni Panelo, ang siyam na taong gulang daw ay nasa “age of discernment” at alam na raw ang mali sa tama.

Sa napakaraming pag—aaral kaugnay sa juvenile justice, ipinapakita na ang pag-alam sa tama at mali ay hindi nangangahulugang pag-unawa sa kumplikasyon at implikasyon nito at ang “age of maturity” ay halos nagsisimula pa lamang sa edad 16-18 at nagiging ganap sa edad na 25.

Ito ang dahilan kung bakit kinakailangang nasa 18 and edad bago pumasok sa anupamang kontrata. At ito rin ang dahilan kung bakit sa mabigat na kontrata ng kasal, kailangan pang may “parental consent” sa edad na 18; at “parental advise” sa edad na 23. Bakit sa isang krimen na nakasalang ang buong buhay ay hahayaan nang managot sa edad na na 9?

Kahit pa ang sinasabi ng panukalang batas na “confinement” sa Bahay Pag-asa ay pinagandang salitang nangangahulugan ay pagkakulong at pagpapaliit sa mundong dapat galawan ng bata, pagkait sa kanyang kalayaan at hindi magbibigay nararapat na espasyo para sa lubos na pag-unlad ng kanyang pagkatao.

Sa ganitong kalagayan, maging ang karapatan ng mga bata sa edukasyon ay apektado. Kung sa labas ng kulungan ay hindi sapat ang bilang ng kwarto’t guro sa eskwela, paano pa kaya sa loob ng kulungan? Bakit hindi ang pagtutunan ay ang lubos ang implementasyon ng RA 9344 o Juvenile Justice Law, lalo na ang programa nito para sa rehabilitasyon?

Maliwanag na ang panukalang batas na ito ay pagwasak sa kinabukasan ng bawat bata– pandarahas at pang-aabuso sa kabataaan ng mismong mga nasa kapangyarihan. At ang bawat pandarahas sa bata ay pandarahas sa babaeng nagluwal sa kanya.

Ang panukalang batas na ito ay isang tiraniko at sistematikong hakbang upang gawing legal ang nagaganap nang araw araw at walang-pakundangang pag-atake, paghuli at pagpatay sa maraming kabataan sa ilalim ng Gyera laban sa Droga ni Duterte.

Hindi pa nasasapatan ang administrasyong Duterte sa dami ng bilang ng mga inang nawalan ng anak o mga anak na nawalan ng ina at ama.Hindi pa ito nasapatan na ang kanyang mga pahayag laban sa kababaihan ay nagbibigay-daan sa higit pang pang-aabuso at karahasan sa kababaihan.

Hindi pa ito nasasapatan na naglilikha ng takot, ligalig at pagkaka-watak-watak sa hanay ng mamamayan ang kanyang tiranong paghaharing naka-back up ang mga pinakamalalaki at pinaka kurap na mga trapo na wala ring pag-respeto sa mga demokratikong karapatan ng mamamayan tulad ng mga Marcos at Arroyo.

Nais ni Duterte ang isang kimi at takot na henerasyon syang sinanay nya sa kanyang pahaharing walang paggalang sa batas at proseso. Isang seksyon ng populasyon na tinanggalan nya ng kapasidad na kwestyunin at salungain ang kanyang layon sa higit pang magtamasa ng kapangyarihan lagpas sa ipinahihintulot ng kasalukuyang Konstitusyon. Nais nila na ang tagapangmana ng ating lipunan, ang kabataan ay dungo sa kahirapan at ginawang pipi ng karahasan.

Huwag natin payagan ang malagim na kinabukasan na ito. Kung nakasalang ang interes ng mamamayan, tulad ng ating mga kabataan, walang lugar ang panukalang batas na ito sa isang demokratiko at sibilisadong lipunan.

Higit kailanman, kailangan nating sama-samang kumilos para sa buhay at dignidad ng bawat bata. Lumaban tayo para sa makaatao, demokratiko at soberanong karapatan ng bawat mamayang lumalaban. Ang pakikibakang ito ay para sa ating kinabukasan. Ito ay isang yugto sa nagpapatuloy na pakikibaka para sa kalayaan at demokrasyang bayan

#ragepinay
#resisttyranny
#eskwelahanhindikulungan

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[From the web] Rage for Rights Against Misogyny and Tyranny -KAISA KA

Rage for Rights Against Misogyny and Tyranny

Pagkakaisa ng Kababaihan para sa Kalayaan (KAISA KA) marked International Women’s Day,March 8, also known as International Working Women’s Day with creative actions in Manila, Cebu and Baguio to underscore the message that as long as one among us is subjected to violence and abuse whether physically, psychologically or even economically, no woman can be truly emancipated.

In Manila, women conducted a jog-protest against violence and tyranny from Recto to Mendiola while in Cebu, KAISA KA joined the women of Cebu Citizen’s Alliance (CCA) as they march from Sto. Rosario to Metro Gaisano in the morning. The action opens the month-long commemoration of International Women’s Day with the theme: Rage Pinay, Women Resist! which will be punctuated by learning sessions in schools and communities.

In Baguio, creative interpretations of the theme: Stop Misogyny, Uphold Women’s Human Rights and Dignity will be done in the afternoon at People’s Park.

According to KAISA KA Chairperson Attorney Virginia Suarez, rather than blaming women’s sensibilities for being offended and degraded by the words of the President, offensive and degrading speech has no place in the Presidential lexicon. Rather than promoting women’s rights he is doing the exact opposite – promoting a climate that breeds misogyny, sexism and encourages violence against women.

“This government has been especially hard on strong women who are taking a stand against a tyrannical ruler, especially one bent on appropriating more power by undermining checks to executive power,” added Suarez referring to Supreme Court Justice Chief Justice Sereno and Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales and Senator Leila de Lima.

“Making “change work for women” will not go beyond lip service unless this normalization of violence against women is addressed,” pointed out Suarez.

KAISA KA cited that though there are strides globally with respect to human rights the global trend of ultra-right and ultra-conservative leaders further constrict whatever “safe space” remains for women to enjoy a life of dignity.

Poverty and VAW

“We anticipate that as the economy worsens, so would more women fall prey to abuse and violence,” added Suarez as studies have shown a correlation between poverty and violence against women.

KAISA KA pointed out that in many Filipino households; it is the wife and mother who is tasked with trying to stretch the meager family finances or “gumagawa ng paraan”. And with inflation now at 4.5% (or a 4 year high) due to the direct and indirect effects of Tax Reform and Acceleration and Inclusion or TRAIN, the finances are insufficient to cover the bare minimum of subsistence.

TRAIN took away from the already poor while on one hand giving back to the already rich citing that the 40 % of the riches Filipinos earning a combined income of 4.1 Trillion pesos got 137 Billion pesos as a result of the lowering of the Personal Income Tax while the poorest 60 percent of the population earning a combined income of 2.1 Trillion pesos got nothing from TRAIN and in fact will be squeezed further because of it.

Women become more prone to abuse and violence, the more that they are economically disenfranchised or marginalized. Some even resort to anti-social activities to tide over their families.

For KAISA KA, to continue to assert women’s rights and welfare in these troubled times is a challenge especially since alongside the culture that normalizes misogyny is a palpable culture of fear and passivity as a result of weaponizing the war against drugs against the poor and down-trodden including women and children

“No woman can be safe until all are safe, we must rage against the impending darkness so that we can be able to the dawning light of day,” ended Suarez.###
______________
About KAISA KA
Founded in 1998, Pagkakaisa ng Kababaihan Para sa Kalayaan or KAISA KA (Unity of Women for Freedom) is a national organization of grassroots women advocating for emancipation of women from the three-tier oppression as a people, as a class and as women,
In the past KAISA KA has been very vocal against the ill effects of unequal security relations between the US and the Philippines (MDT,VFA, MLSA, and EDCA) It believes that violence perpetuated against women is more systemic in nature and should be addressed in a more holistic and comprehensive manner such as affecting a change in the policy as well as a change in the existing value systems.

#IWD2018

[KAISA KA] #IWD2018 Rage for Rights Against Misogyny and Tyranny
PRESS RELEASE
March 8, 2018
Reference: Atty. Virginia Lacsa Suarez, Chairperson KAISA KA

Source: web.facebook.com/notes/kilusan-para-sa-pambansang-demokrasya

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[Press Release] Broadcasting Misogyny and Abuse in Congress: A Mockery of (In) Justice KAISA KA Reacts to Hearings Probing De Lima Links to Drug Trade

Broadcasting Misogyny and Abuse in Congress: A Mockery of (In) Justice
KAISA KA Reacts to Hearings Probing De Lima Links to Drug Trade

Kaisa Ka bAs an organization of grassroots women who are believe that women must be empowered fully in order to harness our full potential towards nation-building, Pagkakaisa ng Kababaihan para sa Kalayaan or KAISA KA are deeply disturbed by what is the rise in rise of abusive behavior online and offline directed towards women.

The first, spilling out from well-oiled online machinery favoring the  Duterte administration, young women who were part of the recent anti-Marcos protests were subjected to unprecedented levels of bullying and even rape threats.

And the second, spearheaded by allies in Congress who have hijacked the purpose of Committee Hearings that was to probe De Lima’s links to the drug trade in aid of legislation into a venue to pry open, parade, prod and mock the private life of a lady senator whose only crime was to investigate the Davao Death Squad, during her stint in CHR and be critical of the ongoing drug campaign.

The recent hearings- shows the solons being “ charlatans”, “sexist” and “misogynists”, dwelling and playing on De Lima’s affair with Dayan.

Principled solons may have been able to block the showing of the alleged sex video of Senator De Lima, but just looked on as the line of questioning towards former bodyguard Ronie Dayan degenerated to a mockery of a hearing.

The law makers have now become the law breakers themselves using the venue to oppress and violate women. The human rights and women’s rights advocates in the Congress should have not allowed the “oppressive questioning” and “malicious innuendos” attack De Lima’s person.

End the Abuse and Violence
Three courageous Milabal sisters of the Dominican Republic who opposed then fascist Dictator General Rafael Turillo were assassinated in November 25, 1960 and in whose honor the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women was declared back in 1999 by the United Nations General Assembly.
Had De Lima been a man, it would have been entirely different, an exact opposite situation. All the more that we should be alarmed and oppose at all cost– this is state –initiated violence.

Let us remember that a violation done to one woman is a violation that can be done to all.

November 25, 2016
References: Atty. Virgie Suarez – 09088159923 / Chairperson KAISA KA

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[Statement] Remember the Assault on Women during Martial Law Resist a Return to Tyranny -KAISA KA

Remember the Assault on Women during Martial Law Resist a Return to Tyranny

Kaisa kaThe Marcos fascist regime, which meant 14 years of terror to the Filipino people, inflicted some of the most inhuman state-sponsored violence against women (VAW) on the biggest number of Filipinas since WWII.  This should be one big reason for women and for men who honor their wives, mothers, sisters, aunts and grandmothers to oppose historical revisions about that era and resist a return to autocratic rule.

As we join the global 16 Days of Activism against VAW on its 25th year, KAISA KA, a women’s organization in the struggle for women’s emancipation and social change, deems it fit and timely to focus on state-sponsored violence against women.

Heinous forms of VAW

Most of the victims of violence during the dictatorship are in their senior years now and many have died.  Many women had passed away without fully disclosing their stories about gang-rape, rape using foreign objects like pistols, sexual battering and other harrowing experiences in the hands of soldiers, to whom the Marcos dictatorship has practically given license and privileges.  Most of these victims, though, have told their husbands, their best friends, their confidantes.

Victims of state-sponsored VAW during those dark years included not only women who were arrested and detained for being suspects of subversion but also young daughters of farmers that soldiers met in the barrios (rural barangays), women working in bars that soldiers frequented, even a few actresses that certain units of the military intelligence were attracted to and thus were declared as “suspected subversive elements.”

Soldiers subjected women visiting detained relatives to unnecessary frisking, oftentimes, while throwing obscenities or groping their private parts.  Some would peek at couples in conjugal enclosures.  Pregnant women were not spared.  And some interrogators threatened to rape girl-children of detainees being investigated if they do not “cooperate.”

In the rural areas, countless mothers suffered the anguish of seeing their children go hungry or not being able to feed them on time as soldiers would prevent the movement of supplies they bought from the town markets or would destroy their crops, accusing them of providing food stuff for rebels.

The list of the various forms of violence could be very long.  But most heart rending were the several cases of abduction of innocent children of suspected rebels.  Military detachments displayed these children for a while, a psychological ploy, ostensibly to prevent rebels from conducting attacks and to lure the parents to surrender.

A Reason for Alarm

It is alarming that for several months now, while President Duterte has drummed up total agreement and support for his war against drugs, creating a culture of fear and silence (to question and criticize), some people, especially in the social media were also actively spreading the so-called positive outcomes of martial law and extolling the “appropriateness” of a “strongman rule” for the Philippines. Even as he interspaced his comments with character

While he sounded during the presidential campaign like he was merely warning drug lords, dealers, pushers and users so that they could change, it has become clear that he was true to his byword: kill, kill, kill.   A day after his inaugural, the Duterte did not mince words when at San Beda College, he said, “Ang due process ay sa korte.  Hindi ninyo mahahanap yan sa akin.” (Due process is in the courts.  You cannot find it in me). In different occasions, he said, he does not care for human rights.

Alleged drug lords, dealers, pushers and users killed is now around 5,000.  Duterte however, bids for a longer time for his “war against drugs” because as he has his own list of suspects, he realized that more “nonhumans” have to be killed.  He is asking Congress to bring back death penalty and to lower the age of minors who could be charged criminally from the present 17 years old to 12-9 years old.  Not content with the present security forces, he has voiced his intent to build a gendarme, “something like the former Philippine Constabulary.”

All his critics from heads of States (US and the Vatican) to neophyte Senator Leila de Lima received a verbal thrashing adding character defamation and shaming for the Lady Senator and now echoed by his allies in a “super-majority Congress”.

He even threatened the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court about declaring martial law after she instructed judges in Duterte’s list of “drug personalities” to not surrender.  He apologized a few days afterwards but lately, he warned that if lawlessness escalates he would be forced to suspend the writ of habeas corpus.

As the killings are continuously desensitizing people, Duterte ushers in Ferdinand Marcos, Jr’s return and rise to power by introducing him in China as “the next vice president, if he wins his case against Vice President Leni Robredo” and by finally allowing the burial of the dictator Marcos in the Libingan ng mga Bayani (LNMB).

Clearly now, Duterte is heading towards a kind of rule that approximates martial law.

More reason for women to oppose tyranny

Open fascist rule in itself spells danger for women.  When even “rules of discipline” of the state security forces can be set aside in the name of “securing the state”, women become open prey of powerful sections that are licensed to kill.
.
A culture of rape-as-punishment being promoted now is ominous of how bad a Duterte fascist rule will be for women. Threatening to rape (and kill) women who question or criticize the president’s ideas and actions has not been as widely used as now and by the very persons promoting through the social media a pro-martial law/pro- strongman-rule culture and adulation of Duterte.  And the president, who never apologized for his ill remark on the rape of an Australian despite strong criticisms from here and from other parts of the world, has never issued a public censure to stop this culture of violence against women.  Instead, his speeches continue to mirror his own disrespect and low regard for women.

Misogynist Duterte could make a fascist rule doubly menacing for women. We should resist it now.

Oppose the return of tyranny!
No to all forms of violence against women!
Resist state violence against women!
——
KAISA KA
Pagkakaisa ng Kababaihan para sa Kalayaan
#22-A Libertad Street, Highway Hills, Mandaluyong City 1501, Philippines
Telefax: (02) 7173262                               Email: kaisa_ka98@yahoo.com
Website: http://www.kaisaka.org / http://www.kaisakakalayaan.org

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[Statement] Continue the Fight for Women’s Emancipation and People’s Sovereignty -KAISA KA

KAISA KA on International Women’s Day 2015:
Continue the Fight for Women’s Emancipation and People’s Sovereignty

Filipino women can vote. They can be elected into office. They can attain higher education. But they are not really free. Most of them are poor, deprived of opportunities to improve their lot. They are a part of the Philippines that is tied to an unequal relationship. Hence they can not rejoice. On this International Women’s Day, they grieve.

Kaisa Ka b

We, the members of KAISA KA protest against the Benigno Aquino III government’s implementation of policies that drive women to work, often in utter slavery, abroad; and, its embrace of US’s policies and programs that spell the further militarization of the Philippines and the entire Asia-Pacific, bring the people closer to war and cause insecurity and more danger to women.

Supporters of the president, especially business groups repeatedly proclaim a rosy picture of Philippine economy. “The Philippines is no longer the sick man of Asia.” “It is now the second tiger economy in Asia, next to China.” But evidently, because of its embrace of neoliberal policies, growing number of workers cannot be absorbed in workplaces in the Philippines, and this drives a large number to seek jobs abroad, some even braving the danger of getting trafficked by drug and sex syndicates and hazards.

The Aquino government has unquestioningly accepted all US military policies and programs for the Philippines and the Asia-Pacific, as if its interests are one with those of big US capitalists. It refuses to terminate the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) despite the clarity that the US uses this and the moldy Mutual Defense Treaty to drag the country into US’s wars and to become a front in a war of aggression. The Aquino government even approved the Enhanced Defense Cooperation (EDCA) agreement that directs the Philippines to accommodate a large number of troops and prepositioned war materiel.

We experienced very recently the heart-rending effect of this compliance with the military measures of the US. The gruesome murder of Jennifer Laude and the Philippine government’s subsequent submission to US’s custody of the accused L/Cpl Joseph Scott Pemberton show the bastardized treatment of the Philippines and the menace that the coming soldiers in their droves under EDCA will bring to women.

The US did not care whether the operation that it directed the PNP-SAF to execute in Mamasapano would create a number of widows and orphans or whether it would compromise the peace process. All it insured was its interest, not to eradicate terrorism because the US itself puts up and supports terrorist groups for its needs, but to have something positive to show to the American people that spend for its war on terror. And now, it does not care when the present war in Mindanao-Sulu that it also directs has displaced more than 30,000 women, children and old people.

Women have to unite to fight the militarization of the Philippines and the entire Asia-Pacific by the US. We should oppose the Philippine government’s subservience to the only superpower in the world that endangers women and the rest of the people. Women’s concerted actions, in unity with other oppressed sectors in society, in their numbers will guarantee security for women.

Onward with the emancipation of women! Assert people’s sovereignty!

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