Gabriela condemns state ‘repression’ of activists on Int’l Women Human Rights Defenders Day

Women’s alliance Gabriela on Wednesday, Nov. 29 organized a hand paint-themed protest called “Break the Silence” in Quezon City in celebration of the International Women Human Rights Defenders Day (IWHRD) and International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinians.

The group expressed its opposition to the government’s “repressive” actions against individuals who advocate for human rights.

“We persevere even as the Philippine state continues to relentlessly repress Filipino activists today, be it through harassment, illegal detention, fabricated cases, abduction, and even murder,” said Gabriela secretary general Clarice Palce.

She cited the case of women human rights defenders under the regime of President Marcos Jr., including the “abduction” of labor organizer Elizabeth “Loi” Magbanua, Ma. Elena “Cha” Pampoza of the farmers group Anakpawis, and Elgene Mungcal of the Gabriela Women’s Party Central Luzon.

“Loi is a longtime labor unionist, while Cha and Elgene are peasant organizers. They are women advocating for agrarian reform, higher wages, and better working conditions,” Palce said.

The group also highlighted Palestinian women’s experiences during the ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict and expressed concerns about achieving peace.

“With both Israel and the Philippine government receiving direct military aid from the US, the bombs rained on rural communities in the Philippines are undoubtedly the same as the bombs rained on women and children in Palestine,” Palce said.

“To achieve peace—whether in the Philippines, or Palestine, or anywhere else in the world—we must address the root causes of our crises,” she said.

“Sitting down to discuss socio-economic reforms that address the root causes of the conflict is the first step towards a just and lasting peace for all,” she added.