"To achieve great success in life one must be willing to walk the extra mile."
In a sense, this quote may apply to the women of the Philippines, who have struggled so hard and for so long for recognition and equality in a world which had viewed them as second-class citizens and even as chattels. Where the efforts of men were easily recognized, Filipino women had to walk the extra mile just to have their contributions acknowledged. Despite this, Filipino women have achieved much. They fought for their country's independence alongside their men, and when that independence was achieved, they have contributed to the best of their ability to the building of their nation...
In precolonial times, Filipino women played a major role in the community. They were the only women in Asia who enjoyed equality with men in all aspects of life, from ownership and administration of property to leadership. With the advent of colonization and the introduction of a paternalistic society, they were made subordinate to men. Yet, even in a restrictive environment, Filipino women still managed to make themselves heard, as exemplified by the young women of Malolos who dared to write a letter to the Governor General that they may be educated. Later, Filipino women --among them Gabriela Silang and Teresa Magbanua-- fought alongside men in the wars for Philippine independence. During the American Occupation of the Philippines, Filipino women advocated for the right to vote, making them the first Asian women to have the right of suffrage. A Filipina eventually became the first female President in Asia.
The 1987 Constitution recognized the role of women in nation-building and guaranteed the fundamental equality of women and men before the law. Gradually, gender-sensitivity and women empowerment began to be incorporated in Philippine legislation, and Filipino women began to be accepted in sectors of society which before had been regarded as bastions of men, such as the military and political leadership.
Today's Filipino women are active in all sectors of society. Filipino women are educators, artists, writers, medical workers, business leaders, military personnel, and political leaders. As a tribute to the Filipino women who have helped and are still helping to build our nation even when their contributions had been belittled and unrecognized, Vibal Foundation through Filipiniana.net has created this project on Philippine Women's Studies, which aims to put together legislations, scholarly and literary writings, and images about, of, and for the benefit of Filipino women.
Philippine Women's Studies begins by publishing full texts of Philippine laws that affect women, particularly breakthrough laws that aim to protect and empower women and to abolish discrimination against them. Among these are the Anti-Rape Law, the Anti-Sexual Harassment Law, and the Anti-Violence Against Women and Children Law.
In addition to these, Philippine Women's Studies showcases scholarly documents written by and/or about Filipino women, as well as literary works by Filipino women writers. Some of these writers are Lualhati Bautista, Genoveva Matute, Paz Marquez-Benitez, Edith Tiempo, Kerima Polotan Tuvera, Liwayway Arceo, Trinidad Tarrosa-Subido, Jessica Zafra and Nerissa Cabral. The scholarly documents tackle diverse issues and topics, ranging from the precolonial babaylan to mail-order brides to gender inequality.
Philippine Women's Studies also uploads and exhibits images of Filipino women from earliest times up to the present, showing the growth of the Filipina as she transits from repression to empowerment.
Philippine Women's Studies is dedicated to all of the Filipino women, known and unknown, heralded and unheralded. It is especially dedicated to Mrs. Esther A. Vibal, whose vision, inspiration and leadership was a primary force in the creation of this project.
Featured Item
"once again, the country has a women president, the second in less than two decades."
-- NCRFW and NEDA,
Framework Plan for Women.
