Millennials take a stand against feudal, patriarchal society

Millennials on Wednesday took to the streets to express their frustration with sexual harassment, repression, and the Philippines' "feudal and patriarchal" society.

Carrying banners reading "Sexual harassment out now!" and "Pyudalismo ibagsak!," students and young women joined the protest at Bonifacio Shrine in Manila to fight for their rights on International Women's Day.

Some of them came straight from their colleges, where separate programs were also held.

The students who attended were from the University of the Philippines Diliman, University of the Philippines Manila, and Polytechnic University of the Philippines.

Justin Kate Raja, a member of the Student Alliance for the Advancement of Democratic Rights in UP (STAND UP), said that freedom of women can only be achieved through collective effort.

"We in STAND UP believe that the freedom of women can only be achieved by collective action; that's why we're here today. We believe that women are repressed on many levels: women who are farmers, women who are workers, women who are students like us, who are repressed by neo-liberal policies," she said.

Raja said that women are seen as commodities in the Philippines due to feudalism.

"Nakakaranas naman tayong lahat ng karahasan. Bilang mga babae nahaharass tayo, sexually harass, nacacatcall tayo. Lahat yan ay maiuugat sa feudal system sa Philippines kung saan tinitignan ang babae bilang mga commodity, bilang mahina," she said.

"Haharapin ko siya pagkagraduate ko. Hinaharap ko siya bawat araw kapag naglalakad ako sa kalye kung saan naca-catcall ako," she added.

Her group is pushing for a higher living wage, and end to contractualization, and safe working conditions for women.

Gabriela Youth echoed Raja's sentiments, saying that women and millennials are a force to reckon with.

"Nagsama-sama po yung kababaihan sa iba-ibang sektor para ipakita na malakas na pwersa ang kababaihan," said Jo Lapira, deputy secretary general of Gabriela Youth in UP Manila.

Her group in particular is against militarism in the Philippines, and the mandatory ROTC program.

"Naniniwala kami na hindi magpopromote ng nasyonalismo [ang ROTC] bagkus ay magpo-promote ng korupsyon, ng karahasan lalo na sa kababaihan, bilang patriyarka ang lipunan natin at mababa ang tingin sa kababaihan," she said.

Raja said that seeing many youths in the rally empowered her.

"Nakakatuwa na maraming kabataan ngayon...nakikita nila ang pangangailangan na magpa-collectivize, magpa-organize para sama-samang labanan ang iba't ibang atake sa ating karapatan," she said. — BM, GMA News