One hundred years ago, the women of the world were burdened with oppression. And one hundred years ago, they found the value of talking to each other, organizing themselves, and fighting for their rights. Then, a National Women’s Day was born in the United States, a first step towards women realizing their potential as powerful citizens of their nations and of the world. The day was February 28 1909. The now defunct Socialist Party of America was in celebration. The context, a time of turbulence and change, of ideological battles and injustice.

A groundbreaking legal action in Swaziland’s High Court is testing the new Constitution and its recognition of equal rights for women.

In the Philippines, women and children have not been spared from state-sponsored violence.

March 8, International Women’s Day, would hold painful significance for Angie Ipong, a 64 year-old peace advocate. She was forcibly taken by soldiers during a peace workshop in Mindanao, last March 8, 2005. During interrogation, she endured molestation and sexual abuse at the hands of her captors. She was surfaced after 14 days and is presently detained at the Pagadian City Jail.

In 2002, the government of the United States (US) declared the Southeast Asian region as the second front in the US-led war on terrorism, justifying increased militarization and deepening armed conflicts in the region. Eighty percent of the victims of militarization are women and children.[2]

On 8 March, the world celebrates International Women’s Day. This event highlights issues particularly affecting women, including their collective struggles for equality, and a universal commitment to women’s enjoyment of all their rights in accordance with international standards and conventions.

Stop human rights abuse of women, and uphold gender equality and non-discrimination in Sri Lanka

Or, Anticipating the Revenge of the Balikbayan Cargo Cult (Part 1)

(A letter to all Filipinas living in the United States)

(English translation of “Ang Pagiging Babae ay Pamumuhay sa Panahon ng Digma”)

The current global financial crisis is still unfolding. The developing Asia-Pacific region started to feel its impact deeply from the third quarter of 2008. It is still too early to comprehend the full social implications of the crisis. The following emerging trends, however, indicate that women could be affected significantly.