The Ecumenical Women's Forum (EWF), an association of 11 church women’s organizations in the Philippines, of which Women of the Episcopal Church in the Philippines is an active and founding member, expressed its solidarity with all women in the world in celebrating International Women Day on 8 March in Quezon City. 

The programme included a biblico-theological reflection on the struggles of women; testimonials from a peasant woman, an urban poor woman leader whose home and those of other households in their community were demolished, and the daughter of a migrant worker who died while in the custody of her employer; a comprehensive economic view of the situation for women in the Philippines; and a cultural presentation on the various struggles of our poor and marginalized women. The event was capped with a tribute to women leaders in the ecumenical movement, who were honoured with certificates of achievement as advocates of women’s rights and for their fight against various violations against women.

It was a grand fellowship with women from various member churches of EWF participating, namely: the Association of Major Religious Superiors in the Philippines, the National Council of Churches in the Philippines, the United Church o  f Christ, the Philippine Independent Church, the Episcopal Church in the Philippines, the United Methodist Church, KASIMBAYAN, Diakonia Philippines, the Association of Women in Theology, BATIS, the Federation of Convention Baptist Women, the Asuncion Perez Memorial Center, the Moro Christian  People's Alliance and the Religious of the Good Shepherd.    

EWF issued a March 8 Statement to commemorate the day.  Excerpts from the statement follow:

…As a faith community of progressive church women in the Philippines, EWF persists in the struggle to liberate people from all forms of oppression, the bondage of patriarchy, and the hegemony of empire to bring about the transformation of church and society.  In the biblical spirit of sisterhood of Naomi and Ruth, we join the global women's movement in celebrating the victories and gains of grassroots women's movement in their long and arduous fight for women's liberation as well as social and national emancipation.

…In the face of intensified militarization in conflict areas, women and children are also first to be displaced from their homes and left to run from one place to another.  The volatile situation in these states and nations has impeded the economic, social, and cultural development of women and children as they are unable to engage in economic activities, study in schools, practice their customs and are barely given social protection.

...Despite these challenges, women of the world have persisted in the struggle for peace, social emancipation and national liberation. We are inspired by the women's unremitting struggle to break free from a patriarchal society. Women's unity against sexual objectification, human trafficking and violence against women, remains strong and campaigns to end these abuses on women are louder than ever.

...Indeed, the history of oppression and exploitation of women is proof that justice, liberation and peace do not come free but are instead fought for.  And the women of the world are thus summoned to continue the struggle and persevere now more than ever to face these challenges.  On the occasion of the International Women's Day, the Ecumenical Women's Forum continues to commit itself to struggle for women's liberation, by journeying together with women and men from various sectors of society to attain God's reign on Earth, where Equality, Justice and Peace abound.

Article by Francisca Bawayan