Cebu supports ‘One Billion Rising’

CEBU CITY -- Cebuanos gather on Valentine’s Day at the Ayala Terraces to show support in ending violence against women in the whole world.

Leny G. Ocasiones, chair of Gabriela-Cebu, said in an interview with Sun.Star Network Exchange (Sunnex) that there is a need to educate the youth on women’s rights.

“We believe nga dapat pang palig-unon ang pag-educate sa mga kabataan that is why Gabriela really fought for the Reproductive Health (RH) bill, because we think it [the Reproductive health education] can really help so that we will know when a touch is malicious, when to get pregnant and that you can effectively manage your fertility,” she said.

“That's very effective so kana. To us, education is very important and this is one way of educating the people and the broad mass. So that they will realize that women are human beings too and they deserve respect,” Ocasiones added.

The event was participated by Gabriela Women’s party-Cebu, University of the Philippines Gender and Development Office, Bisdak Pride, Good Shepherd Welcome House, Antonia de Oviedo Center, Legal Alternatives for Women-Law-Inc., Cebu Women’s Network, and Men Opposed to Violence against Women.

Also present were Cebu Urban Poor Women’s League, Student Alliance for Nationalism and Democracy, Nagkahiusang Kusog sa Estudyante (NKE-UP Cebu), The Fair Trade Shop Cebu, and some students from Cebu’s universities.

Boy Sarmago of Men Opposed to Violence against Women, in his speech, told the participants to involve the men in women’s activities.

He asked the women to “look at men not as culprits, not as abusers, but as someone who also need help.” He added: “Unta dunay gender sensitivity. We want to end that by committing not to remain silent in violence against women.”

Diane Gumanao of NKE-UP Cebu also said that UP is participating in the event. “Andam mubarog ang Nagkahiusang Kusog sa Estudyante para sa kababayen-an [The NKE-UP Cebu is ready to support the women]. Usa ka dakong problema nga gi-atubang sa mga kabatan-unan karon mao ang pag-bag-o sa sistema sa katilingban [One of the problems that the youth is facing now is on how to change the system in the society],” she added.

A student from UP Cebu, Jun Marr Denila, said: “The reason why UP Cebu is joining the One Billion Rising, because it is a task of the university to protect and promote the community rights and welfare. To extend beyond four walls of the university and to serve and promote the people or the rights and the interests of the people.”

One Billion Rising was organized by VDAY, a group founded by Eve Ensler of the famous groundbreaking play, Vagina Monologues.

It is an invitation for women and men all over the world to rise up and dance as a form of protest against unabated violence to women and children. (Jay Ann Clamohoy/Sunnex)