The change we are looking for has always been there.
The 8th day of the March is marked as the International Women’s Day which commemorates the contribution of women in the society across the world and further voices out the demand to give women equal rights and protection against abuse.
The year 2021 is not all fireworks and confetti, but that did not stop some of us to give inspiration especially to the youth that influence, power, and leadership are not limited to those who claim to have balls.
Philippines is known for their beautiful islands and welcoming locals. But moreover, the country is also known for its beautiful women boasting 15 victories at the Big Four International beauty pageants consisting of Miss Universe, Miss World, Miss International, and Miss Earth. The excellence of our delegates is known as the Philippines holds the longest winning streak in the 4 prestigious events, from 2013-2018. Though the country’s last victory was 3 years ago when Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray stunned the world, they have shown that Filipinas can always be and will always be, as Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach said, “confidently beautiful with a heart.”
When talking about women, they are perceived as someone who should be soft and demure. Someone who would not have ripped muscles or body hair. But for the last year, 2 great Filipinas proved that supposedly man-designed sports, specifically boxing and weightlifting, can be ruled by women.
Hidilyn Diaz set a historic win for the country as she bagged the Philippines’ first ever gold medal in Olympics dominating the inaugural women’s 55kg division. The weightlifter persevered and succeeded even after being accused as a conspirator to oust the current President Rodrigo Duterte in 2019. The president thanked her for her Olympics stint even after the revealed matrix.
The country is also known for boxing as Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao still holds the title for the 8-division world champion in history. But on the other side of the ring, Nesthy Petecio held a fair share of achievement as she became the first Filipina Olympiad to win a silver medal in the women’s featherweight for boxing.
Both athletes bagged the gold and silver medals during Tokyo 2020 Olympics which got postponed from 2020 to 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Last but definitely not the least, is how people recognize women as leaders. Many still believes that men can lead better than women. I have always despised the fact that they perceive women weaker than men just because in physical nature, they’re stronger.
But is that the only criteria to become a great leader? To be physically strong? To have balls between your legs?
Women are nurturers in nature. To be able to grow at your fullest potential, you need to be nurtured. To build a nation, you need to cherish your people by understanding and sustaining their needs. Thinking that women can not lead is as nonsense as mothers can not raise their children. That’s why women who run for politics and serves the community are great examples that leadership should not and will never be based on gender.
A day before the International Women’s Day, Raising the Age of Sexual Consent Act became a law which is authored by Senator Risa Hontiveros. Before the bill became a legislation, Philippines has had one of the world’s lowest minimum ages of sexual consent according to United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). It is studied by UNICEF and Center for Women’s Resources, a local non-governmental group, that 7 out of 10 rape victims are children. This is a big step in protecting young girls against rape and sexual abuse.
Finally, the only female presidentiable for the 2022 National Election and the presiding Vice President of the Philippines, the mother of kakampinks, VP Leni Robredo has been making news ever since she was elected. Her office has been given the highest audit rating by Commission on Audit for 3 consecutive years. The OVP Angat Buhay Program is a poverty alleviation program that is supported by donations and private partnerships since her beef with President Duterte gave her no choice but to gear on her nongovernment organization experience as a lawyer.
Angat Buhay as her best legacy caters youth empowerment, healthcare, education, women empowerment, sustainable livelihood program, rural development, housing and settlement, disaster relief and rehabilitation, and many more. Despite the lack of support from the Office of the President, Angat Buhay helped and partnered with 372 organizations, mobilized P520 million worth of resources, helped 622,000 families, and reached 223 cities and municipalities as reported by Manila Bulletin.
Women still have a long way to achieve the equality they have been fighting for. But these women and many more who shows that they are more than just their heels, is already a sure win that they will keep fighting for what they deserve and do not deserve.
Women are definitely the revolution we are looking for.
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