ILOILO CITY (PIA) — In unison with the world in fighting gender-based violence, the members and partners of the UGSAD Regional Gender Resource Network in Western Visayas joined the “One Billion Rising” campaign in Iloilo City on Feb. 14.
West Visayas State University Gender and Development (GAD) Director Dr. Jeanette Simpas, said that “ugsad” is a Hiligaynon term for full moon, and in the Philippine lore, women are the moon, men the sun and children the stars. Aside from illumination, the moon also represents the struggles of women carrying hope that one day, we would be able to reach a gender-fair society.
Launched on Valentine’s Day in 2012, this began as a call to action based on the staggering statistic published by the World Health Organization (WHO) that one in three women on the planet will be beaten or raped during her lifetime.
With this, through the dance campaign, the community strives to express its determination to create a new kind of consciousness – one where violence will be resisted until it is unthinkable.
“This campaign is more than a call to action- it is a global outcry demanding justice, safety, and dignity for women, gender-expansive people, and marginalized communities. The UGSAD Gender Resource Network through its commitment to gender justice stands in solidarity with One Billion Rising that envisions the world free from violence and oppression,” said Kezzie Lyn B. Hilado, coordinator of Ugsad Regional Gender Resource Network in her opening message.
She further underscored that this event is more than just a campaign as it is a movement, a revolution, and a promise to create a world where women, girls, and gender-expansive people live free from violence and fear.
“As we rise today, we honor the voices of survivors, reaffirm our unwavering commitment to gender justice, and our solidarity to all those who continue to rise against oppression. Our voice, our actions, and our collective strength is a people matter. So let us rise, resist, and unite for a future where freedom and equality are not privileges, but fundamental rights for all,” Hilado added.
Some of the key partners expressed their support in the biggest mass action to end violence against women and girls.
In a solidarity message, the chief of the Promotion and Education Division of the Commission on Human Rights Region 6 Christopher Montaño believes that for us to truly rise together, the community needs to cooperate, stand for the values of dignity, respect, inclusion, human rights’ care and above all, love.
“On behalf of our office, we will continue and we commit in solidarity with each one of you that together we will fight to ensure that the rights of our women and girls will always be upheld,” stated Montaño.
The annual activity aims to show the local communities and the world what one billion looks like and shed light on the rampant impunity and injustice survivors often face.
UGSAD believes that by participating in this movement, it only implies that people recognize gender-based violence as not an isolated issue, rather it is interconnected with economic disparity, environmental destruction, and political oppression that calls for collective action. (AAL/AGP/PIA 6)
