Valle: Women - easy prey no more?

WHENEVER we see senseless acts being passed off as normal as in the case of the arrest of unarmed health workers in what is now touted as “Morong 43”, majority of whom were women, we began to question the kind of logic our so-called Armed Forces have. Next to our wonderment is the dread of some portent of things to come, some unpleasant events that could occur in the “not-so-distant” future.

We cannot help but notice some facts that could not be ignored. Over some months back, the Maguindanao massacre forever changed the myth of numbers, such as what journalists used to rely on, and that is the thought that there is ‘security’ in numbers. We were all shaken from our lethargy after the whole scale murder was shamelessly committed and in broad day light at that!

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Another myth that was shattered into pieces was the so-called invulnerability of women when they go together. Again we were rudely awaken from our indolence with the fact that even Muslim women, who were thought to be a force to reckon with when they are in numbers, could no longer claim immunity as dictated by Islam from brute force, and again, as brutally pointed out in the Maguindanao Massacre.

In both these incidents, although each may have differed from the other in circumstance, all of the victims were unarmed as against their attackers who were fully armed to the teeth, with high powered weapons, as if the objects of their manhunt were terrorists in full battle gear!

These incidents were such big shame on the part of the country’s supposed protectors of its citizens, the antagonists who seemed devoid of thoughts and feelings, acting almost like robots following the commands of their masters systematically. It should be pointed out too that the perpetrators of both incidents were all men in uniform who were “only” following orders without the dictates of their conscience.

Of the 43 incarcerated health workers, 26 are women, sisters, wives and mothers, and two are even pregnant. How could the AFP even suspect that these women are involved in illegal activities? This one really escaped any kind of logic. And yet, even when the foolhardy of their actions were pointed out to them, the so-called authorities continues to incarcerate the Morong 43, still unable to acknowledge their folly.

The foregoing incidents only answers the question posed on “Why dedicate a day exclusively to the celebration of the world's women?” And some of the reasons cited include the following quotes below:

* to recognize the fact that securing peace and social progress and the full enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms require the active participation, equality and development of women; and to acknowledge the contribution of women to the strengthening of international peace and security;

* For the women of the world, the Day's symbolism has a wider meaning: It is an occasion to review how far they have come in their struggle for equality, peace and development. It is also an opportunity to unite, network and mobilize for meaningful change.

And while these are being put in place in the international level, the Filipino women continues to languish in dire state. It must be taken into account though that the Filipina is now more aware and conscious to some extent of her own capacities, abilities and more especially, her basic human rights. There is yet so much room for improvement and development--yet a long way to go.