CONQUERING CURRENTS, FORGING WAVES

On March 10, 2023, the Bapa Benny Tudtud Auditorium was abuzz with energy as POWER AdDU hosted its latest event, Conquering Currents, Forging Waves The event aimed to provide a platform for advocacy-building, policy reforms, and effective lobbying, specifically for promoting

Diversity And Inclusion In Advocacy Efforts

The event was opened by POWER moderator Mx. Donna Cuenca, who welcomed attendees and set the tone for the afternoon's discussions. After her opening remarks, a solidarity message from Atty. Leni Robredo was presented, emphasizing the importance of empowering women and working towards a Philippines where women are limitless.

The keynote speaker for the advocacy-building talk was Mx. Jeanette Laurel-Ampog, Talikala's Executive Director. In her speech, she discussed the current situation of women in the Philippines and highlighted the rising unemployment rate, the domestic role of women, and the situation of women migrant workers Mx Laurel-Ampog also pointed out the alarming number of teenage and unplanned pregnancies, as well as the political detainees and maternal deaths in the city

Mx Laurel-Ampog stressed that advocacy is a process and not a one-time event She discussed the importance of having clear objectives and goals in advocacy efforts, as well as the need to build partnerships and networks to effect change She also noted the challenges of media in promoting gender blindness and the need to educate them on the issue

One of the most important points Mx Laurel-Ampog made was the need for safe spaces She noted that advocacy building requires mentorship, coaching, and engaging with other groups, and that it is important to invite unlike-minded groups as they can contribute to the advocacy.

The talk concluded with a reminder that while all women have experiences of oppression, others face the brunt of it more than others. Mx. Laurel-Ampog made a point of the importance of understanding the systemic structure and discrimination against women, particularly the patriarchal mindset that perpetuates the belief that women are secondclass

Following this, the event included another solidarity message, this time from Mx Lavina A Oliveros, the Comprehensive Sexuality Education Coordinator at UNFPA Philippines In her message, Mx Oliveros speaks of the need for translating policies into action toward women empowerment – many legal frameworks for women empowerment are present in the country, but much work is still needed to make them a reality