“This year reflects our commitment to a fair society and the new Philippines, where the capabilities of women are not just recognized, but also celebrated. Today we stand together to acknowledge the vital role of women in our society and of course the significant contribution they have made in championing human rights.”
These were underscored by Prof. Omaira Barangai, JD in her opening remarks after the Human Rights Society's (HURISO) successful conduct of the Conference Featuring Women as Human Rights Champions in partnership with the Gender and Development Focal Point System (GAD-FPS) on March 20, 2024, at the AVR Library, MSU-GSC.
The event was intended for the celebration of the 2024 National Women’s Month Celebration with the theme “Lipunang Patas sa Bagong Pilipinas: Kakayahan ng Kababaihan, Patunayan and was attended by representatives from the different colleges, including the College of Law, MSU-CETD, and Senior High.
“As Human Rights Champions, we acknowledge that women are potential and a big aspect of the society to be duty bearers. They themselves can convert themselves as advocates to speak about the human rights violation, to speak about issues because women are more powerful with their voice,” Mudzamer Masil Waling, president of HURISO stated in an interview.
Dr. Jovanie Espesor, one of the HURISO advisers, expressed in a video message that the value of human rights is highly cherished and is significantly intertwined with the overall meaning of individuality, especially for our brothers and sisters who are on the margins, and are experiencing object poverty, as well as facing different forms of injustice.
Espesor emphasized that women have important roles in both the public and private sectors, going beyond traditional roles at home. Nowadays, women are more visible in areas like law enforcement, the military, and different industries. As gender equality progresses, women get more chances to showcase their skills in various fields, showing how essential they are in creating a fairer society.
While, Raydan M. Tangwayan, LPT, was the first speaker, he discussed his study, Unveiling Balaw-Balaw: Understanding Indigenous Gender Violence. According to him, in order to eliminate violence, we have to understand the causes of it.
“You are not allowed to bully somebody. Anyone of you here, malalaki man or mababae, even LGBTQ, could be a victim of anti-bastos or could be an offender,” PMSG Junalyn B. Himalay, second speaker, discussed the Safe Spaces Act, or RA 11313, which is the law that covers all forms of gendered-based sexual harassment that are committed in public spaces, educational or training institutions, the workplace, and online spaces, and emphasized the difference between the Anti-Bastos and the Anti-Sexual Harrassment Act.
The conference had an open forum and was also joined by the Kabpapagariya Ensemble.
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