30/03/2026
HERstory: Every Story Builds an Inclusive Society
by: Rosalyn P. Dela Peรฑa
Two hundred pesos โ this is all a single mother earns to raise her two children in a day. To ease the burden, her daughter works whenever she does not have classes. Two faces of a woman fight differently, until one painful word is heard by her daughter: "You look pitiful, it seems like your mother can do nothing for you." Behind the two hundred pesos, a mother wakes up at 4 a.m., preparing food for the day, doing household chores, taking care of her one PWD child, and starting to earn income through her sewing machine for a living โ plus the hidden stories she never told, just for her daughter to focus on her studies. And that is my mom.
This is not to highlight my story nor my mother's. This is to recognize all the women out there who feel unvalued, who demand respect, and are often unheard.
According to the Oxfam Philippines (2021) National Household Survey, Filipino women spend 11โ13 hours a day on unpaid care and domestic work โ far more than men. Still, this labor remains unappreciated. Additionally, the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) states that this unpaid domestic care is worth a trillion pesos, roughly 20% of the nation's GDP. This highlights the immense contribution of women in economic and social value. This is not just personal โ this is a reality rooted in patriarchy, where domestic care is assigned to women while their capabilities are undervalued.
Despite this, women continue to make a name in society. Some pursue higher education, hold leadership positions, and excel in their chosen careers. In the Philippines, 44% of managerial positions are held by women, which is higher than the global percentage. Women also enter entrepreneurship โ from micro, small, to medium enterprises โ and when it comes to leadership and politics, some hold power, but men still dominate. There might be gaps, but there are changes happening. As women continue to rise, they create a new symbol of women in society: not just seen as weak, not just women. Many modern icons play a crucial role in building a society where women can be seen. Miriam Defensor Santiago, a fearless leader known for her advocacy for justice. Maria Ressa, a journalist who fought for press freedom. Anne Curtis, who was recently sexualized by a famous political figure, demanded respect โ not just for herself, but for all women โ to not be seen as instruments of others' fantasies.
This Women's Month, let us recognize all women โ their experiences, challenges, hardships, and achievements. Not just my mom, not just myself and professional and skilled workers. Not just well-known women who fought for our rights, or celebrities who demand respect, but every single one of us. Their experiences and stories. Our collective action โ to be seen, to be respected, and to be recognized.
Every experience, every untold story, and every act of courage contributes to a legacy of how we see women โ strong, resilient, and capable. From those quietly managing homes and communities, to professional and skilled workers, to women who serve in their own ways โ these all demand gender equality. This collective experience and action build a society where women are not undervalued, but seen as significant figures in society.
