Advocates launch One Billion Rising 2019, oppose violence against women

Men and women alike joined hands on Sunday at Rizal Park in Manila in calling for global solidarity to end abuse against women.

Held on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, advocates held the Philippine launch of One Billion Rising 2019 at the Lapu-Lapu Shrine at Rizal Park on Sunday morning.

“Women human rights defenders, workers, students, urban poor, indigenous peoples, and individuals from different organizations and institutions gathered to denounce violence against women and to show solidarity throughout the world,” Gabriela said on Sunday in a press release.

The movement's call is ‘Rise, Resist, Unite!’

LOOK: International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, ginunita sa Rizal Park, Maynila l via @luisitosantos03 pic.twitter.com/G5rZgMcIon

— DZBB Super Radyo (@dzbb) November 25, 2018

“Every day, every hour, women and girls get raped, beaten, harassed but are afraid and ashamed to speak about what happened to them because of victim-blaming,” Gabriela secretary general Joms Salvador said in a press release.

The event featured performances about women empowerment, and also held talks from members of different organizations mostly in the women’s sector.

Various groups gather on Sunday, November 25, 2018 at the Lapu-Lapu Shrine at Rizal Park in Manila to commemorate the United Nations' declaration of November 25 as International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, and to launch the One Billion Rising 2019 movement . Danny Pata

Bayan Muna party-list chairperson and former Representative Neri Colmenares attended the launch on behalf of the Makabayan bloc to express the group's support for the One Billion Rising movement and commit to help address women’s rights issues through legislation.

“Katulong niyo po kami sa Kongreso,” Colmenares said during his speech, a video on Facebook posted by One Billion Rising showed.

“May mga panukalang batas laban sa diskriminasyon... at iba pang mga hakbangin ng Kongreso para labanan ang patuloy na abuso sa kababaihan dito sa Pilipinas,” he added.

Colmenares also urged men to take part in the movement.

“Pati rin ang mga kalalakihan, tayo dapat ay bahagi nito dahil bahagi tayo ng pang-aapi sa kababaihan. Dapat bahagi rin tayo ng solusyon sa isyu na ito,” he said.

Senator Leila De Lima also expressed support for efforts to eliminate violence against women and children, and said it is vital for everyone to stand up for the rights of every woman and child.

“Now more than ever, it is vital for each and every one of us to stand up for the right of every woman and child to equality and protection,” she said in a statement issued Sunday, also the National Consciousness Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and Children.

“I join the entire Filipino nation and my fellow human rights defenders around the world in the solemn but proud observance of this most important occasion,” she added. —Joviland Rita/KG/BM, GMA News