Womanhood is the root of both our strength and struggle. This contradiction is a result of the marginalization and discrimination we endure in a society that is prejudiced against women, based solely on their sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, and sex characteristics.
For women in the Bangsamoro, issues surrounding identity and oppression take on a different dimension given their cultural identity and religious affiliation. In a society that identifies them as a minority, opportunities to participate in personal and political affairs are few and are at risk of being reduced to mere tokenism.
The multidimensional nature of our struggle as women in the Bangsamoro requires an intersectional approach. In a region subject to chronic poverty and protracted displacement, we need to recognize how these conditions are linked to our lived experiences as women and how we can uplift each other in working towards relevant and meaningful change.
As the pandemic continues, women at the frontlines of the public health sector remain vulnerable in the absence of policies that ensure their safety and welfare. The Office MP Atty. Laisa Masuhud Alamia has consistently advocated for women across the region, especially those who are in the health and social services sector. We have pushed for the constant provision of personal protective equipment and upgrades in public health facilities across the region.
But the fight for women’s rights and protections go beyond the month of March. Our struggle is one that we have inherited from those who came before us, and it is our duty — together with our allies who stand in solidarity with us — that future generations will inherit a better world for women and for all.
