Another year, another International Women’s Day. Perhaps this time, though, the global commemoration takes on heightened significance considering recent events. On this day, we commemorate women’s historical struggles and activism in the fight for gender equity and equality. One important reference to March 8 was the massive women-led “Bread and
March 8, 2026
Today’s celebration of International Women’s Day has seemingly disparate yet focused themes. The UN’s theme, “DigitALL: Innovation and technology for gender equality”, concentrates on a terrain that has become pervasive nowadays, whether we realize it or not. For while the notions of “innovation and technology” brings to mind imagery
March 8, 2023
I’ve been a mother for the past 18 years. I have not really thought much of it, didn’t make elaborate preparations. For all intents and purposes, I just trudged along, making decisions that I thought best at the moment, with varied outcomes. Reflecting on my motherhood journey highlighted a
May 8, 2022
The Christian world just commemorated some of its most important events this past week, which culminated in what we can consider as the cornerstone of Christianity—the celebration of Jesus’ resurrection. Indeed, the implication of such belief is so significant that all Christians endeavor to abide by Jesus’ teachings in
April 18, 2022
We open Women’s Day 2022 in the Philippines with an almost insane oil price hike that is predicted to continue in the coming days. Aside from the increasing compulsion to reopen businesses despite the pandemic, the Russian unprovoked military invasion of independent Ukraine is presented as justification for such
March 8, 2022
I was in Elementary when EDSA-I People Power happened. I remember my family listening to news updates on the radio, days before the Marcoses left Malacañang. I also remember waking up in the middle of the night on February 25, 1986, to find my mother praying tearfully in front
February 25, 2022
Since 1999, the UN has declared November 25 as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. The day also kicks off what has now become the international “16 Days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence”. This is such an important worldwide campaign for gender equality that practically
November 25, 2021
As Iloilo City celebrates its 84th Charter Day today, I cannot help but reflect a little on my gender journey in the city I was born and raised in. I feel privileged that the contexts in which I grew up in within this “most loyal and noble city” were
August 25, 2021
By Mary Barby P. Badayos-Jover, PhD Many countries in the world, including ours, celebrated Father’s Day this past Sunday. With that distinct celebration alone (which falls every 3rd Sunday of June), the month seems to be associated with particular images of men—as breadwinner, as father-role model, as hero. Perhaps this is also what prompted an
June 24, 2021
By Mary Barby P. Badayos-Jover, PhD For the past 34 years, May 28 is considered as the International Day of Action for Women’s Health. This is perhaps even more significant this year as we continue to face the unrelenting effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Health has become everyone’s focus nowadays, but as advocacy websites have
May 28, 2021
By Mary Barby P. Badayos-Jover, PhD The month of April 2021 will probably go down in our collective memory as the era of the community pantries. By now we all know how a well-intentioned and common-sensical act by a young woman has created a domino effect, a chain reaction that underscores the goodness and
May 1, 2021
By Mary Barby P. Badayos-Jover, PhD I am writing this in a fit of barely-controlled rage over the shameless defense of an undeniably unlawful act. I greatly lament why, in the midst of heightening COVID infections, continued lack of access to mass testing and vaccination, widespread unemployment and worsening poverty, we have to take
March 31, 2021