Women in Melbourne found creative ways to fight for the rights of women as well as celebrate their achievements during the 2018 commemoration of International Women’s Day.
Wearing purple masks, the Australian Coalition Against the Resurgence of Dictatorship (ACARD) in the Philippines and the world led a rally at the Federation Square on 7 March 2018 to protest the degrading of women by Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte. In his speech delivered to an audience including 200 former rebels, he suggested the Philippine troops shoot women rebels in their vaginas.
In a statement released by ACARD, it says, “Here is a Head of State that unhesitatingly attacks women and treats it as sport. And with the Filipino audience captured laughing along with the ‘jokes’, Duterte has created a culture that is devastatingly misogynistic, demeaning and violent towards women.”
In the podcast of SBS Australia (sbs.com.au) by Christie Rivera, she talks to Johanna Hayter, CEO of the International Women’s Development Agency. According to Hayter, the pronouncement of Durterte is deplorable because the Philippine President is encouraging his state forces to commit sexual violence against women rebels in his country. She further says that this “shocking statement” deserves global attention because it is “ a breach of international humanitarian law” and the kind of leadership demonstrating a systemic and psychological grinding down of women is inexcusable and merits accountability.
In the same podcast, Melba Marginson, convenor of ACARD and former CEO and co-founder of the Victorian Immigration and Refugee Women’s Coalition, emphasised the importance of the protest action. She shared that the rally symbolises the voices of Filipino women as well of other women in the world. She added that how the President regards women has an impact on the issue of how women view their human rights.
The gathering at Fed Square is also important for educating young girls and making them aware that there are world leaders, including Duterte and US President Donald Trump as well as other dictators who regard themselves as “macho” and undermine women to have them serve at their heels and use women as accessories in accessing more power.
Gabby Ocampo, a male advocate of gender equality and human rights, said that women’s rights is not only about women so more men should be more involved, including Filipino organisations where the culture of Filipinos gives high regard for women. He noted that our own mothers who symbolise women play a role in unifying the family, community, and society.
To know more information about the ACARD and their activities, contact 0418 389 135 or visit https://www.facebook.com/ACARDinthePhilippines.
Meanwhile, Filipino-led community organisations also celebrated International Women’s Day on the actual date, 8 March 2018 at the Lynbrook Community Centre. Members of the Australian Multicultural Social Support Group (AMSSG), the Australian Filipino Community Services and Young Generation attended the International Women’s Day Morning Tea. They were dressed in purple as tribute to women and their national costumes to celebrate their roots. The meeting celebrated the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women.
Fe Gillies, President of AMSSG, shared that the Filipino community presented two numbers. She also said that four women shared their experiences with the audience, and they were community organiser Elaine Smith, life and well-being coach Anne Mukankusi Otyek, mental health social worker Marcia Knipe and inclusion and participation officer for sport and physical activity for women Christine Granger.
