9 Months Later: Women's Health After Haiyan

GTMF Deputy Executive Director Nic Torres and Plan International - Philippines Country Director
Catharina van der Hor present their signed agreement together with program officers from the two foundations. 

On Wednesday last week, GT-Metro Foundation (GTMF) formalized its partnership with Plan International - Philippines to build health stations with birthing facilities in three of Typhoon Haiyan's (Yolanda) hardest-hit areas -- Palo, Leyte; and Mercedes and Guiuan, Eastern Samar.

To quote GTMF's news release on Rappler:

GTMF Deputy Executive Director Nicanor L. Torres, Jr. considered the undertaking as Metrobank Group’s contribution to restoring access to health services, especially to pregnant mothers and their newborn babies. 

The World Health Organization estimated that some 220,000 pregnant mothers will give birth within the year and about 70,000 newborn babies are in need of care in Yolanda-affected areas. 

“As a foundation that is primarily into implementing health programs for disadvantaged communities, we see how a lack in working health facilities may reverse the gains that have been achieved in curbing maternal and infant mortalities in challenging areas,” said Mr. Torres. 

Each health station will be fully equipped to meet the basic health needs of up to 900 families residing in three to six adjacent barangays and cater to about 10-15 births per month.

* * *
The damage caused by Haiyan in many of the country's health facilities has put around 3.7 million women of reproductive ages at risk, and 150 out of the 1,000 estimated births per day to experience life-threatening complications, per UNFPA reports.

To begin with, the Philippines has to exert serious efforts to meet its 52 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births Millennium Development Goal 5 target by next year after figures have jumped from 162 in 2006 to 221 in 2011. (No woman should die from giving birth in the first place!)

Eastern Samar has the highest recorded maternal deaths among all provinces in the country since 2007. Whatever gains it may have achieved in reducing its maternal mortality rate face risks of being reversed because of the severe health infrastructure damages caused by Haiyan. Additionally, Haiyan's effects on livelihood, which is said to bring more people below the poverty line, will have an indirect impact on women's ability to access health services.


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In the Yolanda Rehabilitation and Recovery Efforts report as of July 28, 2014 of the Office of the Presidential Assistant for Rehabilitation and Recovery (OPARR), private sector participation in health rehabilitation comprise of 67 pledges to build health units and 237 for repair.

OPARR defined private sector to consist of private corporations and their foundations, people and community organizations, as well as local and international non-government organizations where GTMF and Plan fall under.

WoW teams up with Krav Maga Philippines for women's safety

World of Womanity (WoW) recently organized a practical self-defense demonstration session for female employees of Star Cruises Philippines at the Star Cruises Centre in Newport City, Pasay City last January 17.

The demo session was conducted by Krav Maga Philippines (KMP) Managing Director Kenneth Agustin and Senior Instructor Fred, using different street violence scenarios as training exercises.

KMP's Senior Instructor, Fred, demonstrates a move with Allen.

Krav Maga is a self-defense system that was developed in the late 1940s to enhance the combat skills of Israeli military forces.

Unlike martial arts, which has sporting and competitive elements, Krav Maga integrates instinct-based self-defence tactics with real life scenarios using simple and easy to learn movements that aim to disempower an attacker and let the target victim safely walk away. It focuses on technique over strength and awareness over mastery.

Moved by last year's incidences of violence against women, which included that of slain advertising executive, Kae Devantes, WoW approached KMP for the conduct of practical self-defense demo sessions, as well as the Information Technology and Business Process Association of the Philippines (IBPAP), for the dissemination of said opportunity to its members.

Star Cruises Philippines welcomed the opportunity as a way of equipping its female employees with skills that will empower them when confronted by an attacker.

Organizers and participants of the Practical Self-Defense Session

WoW would like to thank KMP Managing Director Kenneth Agustin and Senior Instructor, Fred; Star Cruises Vice President for Philippine Operations Michael Sibayan, Assistance Vice President Teri Llamas, and HR Coordinator Allen Rico; and IBPAP through Ms. Monette Hamlin.

From this blog to the concrete jungles of the workaday world, we are one for the women.


* * *
Do you want to hold a similar session for your employees? Please send us a message at www.facebook.com/worldofwomanity.

"Boring but Comforting"

The world changes as soon as a man and a woman decide to upgrade their relationship status from dating to married.

If their definition of sweetness constitutes the kilig factor, then they must be in for some serious disappointments. The kilig factor often wanes in just a few years as the couple falls into the trap of balancing the demands of domestic life and workaday world. Where dating couples can afford to spend late nights and weekends trying out the newest restaurant in town or catching the latest plays and movies, a married couple's typical weekend is spent juggling Gymboree classes and doctors' appointments with professional and personal commitments.

Then kids -- they literally, come in between the conjugal bed. Where newlyweds find it hard to get their hands off each other, making love at every opportunity, once to twice a month seems a healthy norm for those who are more immersed in the married life. Having it once a week is already a good month, as some would say.

Such set up buzzes an alarm for a woman who's at the prime of her single life: Can married life really get that boring?

A girl friend had to add a conjunction together with a fitting description of her married life. But comforting, she said.

One's husband is, as a life partner, a woman's best friend. To see less of the boring stuff and appreciate their nuisances, I thought of the following contrasts after listening to several friends talk about how they make their marriages comforting when it gets a little boring.

1. It is really acceptance, not submission.

The typical feminist may react negatively upon hearing the age-old advice of elders saying that women should submit to their husbands. (Even I would beg to differ!) Given this, we may have to consider changing the term as in reality, submission indicates a play on power. Acceptance recognizes individual differences; hence, it is very important to look at a potential mate's principles, priorities and personal goals before tying the knot!

2. It is partnership, not competition.

If we take a look at the other reasons why couples split up, we see how marriages crumble at the face of external challenges and conflicting views and desires. It might be safe to say that in such cases, couples have forgotten the big picture -- their commitment, dreams and even, love for each other -- by focusing on the problems and their differences. What couples fail to remember is that they made vows to be together through thick and thin, for richer and for poorer, and in sickness and in health. Marriage has bound them together so that they may work as partners, boosting each other's strengths and complementing each other's weaknesses. Instead, some couples seem to see each one as a competitor, which is telling of how poisonous power is once it is allowed into the relationship.

3. Steady and stable works longer than exciting.

Remember how long those racy night outs and exotic island vacations, a.k.a. what happens in Bora stays in Bora, lasted? Quick, yes. Any long-term relationship should be able to withstand the change of tides and seasons, as well as grow even after the excitement that comes along with novelty wears off. Noting that excitement necessitates surges in emotions, it may seem emotionally unhealthy if one's love life runs on rapidly varying emotions.

There is no single recipe to a relationship that lasts. And yes, this woman would be the last person in the world for credible advices on the relationship bureau.

So let's end this post with a rather blunt question:
Are you ready for boring but comforting?

Image source: http://www2.macleans.ca/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/MAC32_COSLEEPING04.jpg

Women's Challenges in Universal Health Care

About halfway through the establishment of Kalusugang Pangkalahatan (Universal Health Care or UHC) as the Aquino Health Agenda, we have seen massive efforts to increase PhilHealth enrollments and enhance benefits for Filipinos belonging in the lowest income quintiles.

Private sector participation seeks to help address the remaining gaps and inequities in health care access by looking at unreached disadvantaged sectors such as the workers in informal sector who cannot be classified as poorest of the poor yet, are disempowered from accessing basic health services.

In my work at a foundation that helps said disadvantaged segment obtain sustainable access to quality health care through PhilHealth memberships, I came to realize that economically-disadvantaged women have yet to hurdle some challenges to a more inclusive health care system.

A Disconnect between Case Rates and Access

Img URL: http://puratarlac.gov.ph/Philhealth_MOVES/DSC_2618.JPG

In 2011, the PhilHealth released Special Benefits Packages, including case rates payments covering several cases for women such as maternity packages, mastectomy, dilatation and curettage, among others, and no balance billing (NBB). Under NBB, "no other fees shall be charged or paid for by PhilHealth patients beyond the identified case rates." (PhilHealth)

While these enhancements in member benefits are beneficial for women, the problem is they are not accessible to some, if not many. This situation prevents PhilHealth from fully realizing its intentions.

"Complicated Relationships"

Img URL: http://pacific.scoop.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/DSCF1353-e1275264727317.jpg

So what makes access still an issue for women?

Due to gender roles, men are often the ones who register as PhilHealth members -- especially when they sign up as paying members. In many cases, men in marginalized communities grapple with PhilHealth's documentary requirements. The only way they can include their partners as qualified dependents is if they can produce photocopies of marriage contracts. Sad to say that often, there are none.

It is true that among the poor, common marriages are rampant. Local government units seek to address this through kasalang bayans (mass weddings) but even so, "complicated relationships" where men live with a new partner or support more than just one family put women at a disadvantage.

PhilHealth should find a way to ease their documentary requirements or open opportunities for women to be part of its inclusive health agenda.

Windows of Opportunity

Img URL: http://www.thenational.ae/deployedfiles/Assets/Richmedia/Video/462_PHILIPPINES-POVERTY-FAMILIES-O.jpg

PhilHealth and partners should find inspiration in pursuing initiatives to bring in women not only as qualified dependents of the working men, but also as registered members.

Studies show that women as homemakers are efficient domestic financial planners, indicating their ability to save for their own PhilHealth premium payments. Aside from this, they can take active roles in increasing awareness on PhilHealth benefits and availment procedures within their respective communities while their husbands are working and when their children are at school.

There is still plenty of time to make women count in UHC if we can already start now.

Random Thought # 1: Disposable Relationships

Romantic relationships are disposable these days, I told a friend over chat this evening. There's annulment, divorce, legal/physical separation, and clean break ups, and dirty ones. Sometimes, people just drop one another like hot potatoes.



Image URL:http://www.mylifestylemax.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/break-up.jpg

A Malala in All of Us

"Because education is a powerful thing," answered Angelina Jolie when asked by her children why Taliban men attempted to kill Malala Yousafzai, a 14 year-old schoolgirl who started a movement for girls' education in Pakistan.

The story of Malala is both shocking and inspiring even for Filipinos who face immense challenges in achieving quality education for all. On the surface, Taliban restrictions on girls' education that usually resort to violence seem totally alien. However, there are other forms of gender-based oppression that set aside girls in many family decisions regarding education. These forms of oppression need not be inflicted by the usual suspects - men; there are far bigger causes such as culture, economics, and environment, which men alone cannot be blamed for.

In the absence of statistical information, we can refer to commonly shared stories of poor families where the male children are given priority in education out of the notion that they will be the ones to take their families out of poverty while the girls are destined to become mere homemakers anyway. Hence, girls are made to stay at home to take care of younger siblings, do household chores, and fetch water from distant springs or wells. Girls' vulnerability to violence and lack of access to clean, working toilets also contribute to high dropout and low enrollment rates. (Many may not realize how important toilets are for girls in their puberty!)

News of Malala's recovery certainly mean more opportunities to further her advocacy as she lives to tell her tale. We look forward to the day when men and women play equitable roles in all societies across the globe because they both have equal access to education.



Worth reading:

1. We All Are Malala by Angelina Jolie in The Daily Beast.
2. Malala and the Women of Malolos by Prof. Ambeth Ocampo in The Philippine Daily Inquirer.
3. Malala Yousafzai: Portrait of the girl blogger in BBC News

Catching Up with Princess Nemenzo

Back in 2004, I met Princess Nemenzo through a series of referrals from the NGO network. She was invited to speak at a small, hastily organized feminist rendezvous of several Ateneo students called Mulieris Day.

Excavated the announcement from the Mulieris e-group.

More than being former UP President Dodong Nemenzo's other half, Ma'am Princess is one of the most-respected women in the NGO sector, being a pioneer in the country's feminist movement and having advocated for political freedom since the 1960s. (Read more about Princess Nemenzo's contributions to the sector here and here.)

From her talk, one statement caught my attention and haunted me throughout the trying years that followed: How can women fight for their cause when they sleep with the enemy? Expounding the statement using Ma'am Princess own words out of my memory is now a challenge so instead, allow me to quote Scott London in The Future of Feminism: An Interview with Christina Hoff Summers:

This is another problem with feminism. Women think they form a discrete tribe. But we are intimately connected with "the enemy" — with men. They are our brothers, our fathers, our sons, and their fate is our fate. So I think the movement has a problem from the very beginning. Women will always be found sleeping with the enemy and making alliances with the so-called enemy. So there are fallacies there too that we will unite in sisterhood. (Emphasis supplied.)

I took the opportunity to bring up this particular memory from eight years ago when I saw Ma'am Princess at the Health Justice Media Briefing where she served as a panelist on behalf of Women's Health Philippines. As a way of fulfilling our unity in sisterhood, I also shared some of my own experiences as a young woman that put my feminist ideals into test.

Catching up with Princess Nemenzo was something I've always looked forward to, especially after three years' worth of failed attempts to blog something about women's strange relationship with the "enemy." Circumstances considered, I would have to say that meeting her again is more a product of fate than chance.

Two generations of feminists -- a lovely picture indeed!

On Women and the Workplace: Night Work and Solo Parent Leave (Part 2)

Cathy (not her real name) works at an organization with 24/7 operations. Having just returned from maternity leave, she complains about her late-night shift as the schedule limits her time to breastfeed her baby. She also expressed concerns about her supervisor who does not allow her to take leaves for emergencies involving her baby. This, despite the fact that everyone in her workplace knows: Cathy is a solo parent.

Republic Act (RA) No. 10151, "An Act Allowing the Employment of Night Workers, Thereby Repealing Articles 130 and 131 of the Labor Code," actually caters to Cathy's first concern. The Act may be more known for enabling women to take on work assignments at night (from 10:00 pm to 6:00 am) as a means of promoting equal employment opportunities for women and men; but more than this, RA 10151 also provides women with alternatives to night work on special circumstances, which are described as follows:

(a) Before and after childbirth, for a period of at least sixteen (16) weeks, which shall be divided between the time before and after childbirth;
(b) For additional periods, in respect of which a medical certificate is produced stating that said additional periods are necessary for the health of the mother or child:
    (1) During pregnancy;
    (2) During a specified time beyond the period, after childbirth is fixed pursuant to subparagraph (a) above, the length of which shall be determined by the DOLE after consulting the labor organizations and employers.

Article 158 of the Act further provides that "a woman worker shall not be dismissed or given notice of dismissal, except for just or authorized causes provided for in this Code that are not connected with pregnancy, childbirth and childcare responsibilities." The same goes for her status, seniority, access to promotion, among other benefits.

Should pregnant women and nursing mothers really be needed to take on night work, a certification on the woman's fitness to render night work must be issued by a competent physician, other than the company's. Read more here.

Meanwhile, for Cathy's other concern, RA 8972 or the "Solo Parents' Welfare Act of 2000" actually entitles solo parents--both women and men--to take seven (7) days parental leave in addition to the vacation leaves, sick leaves and other service incentive leaves being provided by employers. Such parental leaves may be availed only under two conditions: one, the solo parent must have a Solo Parent ID issued by the City/Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office; and two, when the solo parent has rendered service for at least one (1) year in her current employer.

* * *
This post is written in response to the the concerns commonly raised by friends who are in the same situation as Cathy. Somehow, I feel morally obliged to perform a "layman's" research on such topics and post my learnings on this blog. Special thanks to Atty. Nikki de Vega for her column, New Law on Night Workers, at the Business Franchising PH.

The next installment of the Women and the Workplace series shall delve more on the issues of solo parenthood in line with Sen. Loren Legarda's pending bill, Senate Bill No. 1439, which seeks to add more support and benefits to solo parents.

The 162 to 52 Coalition: Accelerating Maternal Health Development

There is hope to curbing the high maternal mortality rates in the Philippines.

Yesterday, various stakeholders from the government, the academe, and the private sector attended the 162 to 52 Summit, which aim to boost multi-sectoral efforts in addressing the maternal and child health challenges of the country.

Everyday, 11 mothers in the Philippines die due to childbirth and pregnancy-related complications. According to the 2010 statistics of the National Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB), the country loses 162 mothers out of 100,000 live births. Maternal deaths impact infant and child mortality rates as well since children who are left without mothers are three to 10 times more at risk of dying. More than this, the death of mothers affect the psycho-social wellness of orphaned children and widowed husbands, as well as entail losses to the economy.

The state of the Filipino mothers therefore makes the Millennium Development Goal # 5, which for the Philippines is the reduction of maternal deaths from 162 to 52 per 100,000 live births, the least likely to be achieved by 2015. Not meeting this target gives rise to the possibility that progress made on the other MDGs will be reversed--particularly on ending poverty and hunger, and reducing infant and child mortality. (Click here to view the NSCB MDG Watch.)

The 162 to 52 goal therefore calls for drastic measures. The complexity of the factors causing maternal deaths means that solutions lie not only on the hands of medical professionals. We need political leaders who will drive change, businesses that will target their corporate social responsibility on women and mothers, and civil society organizations who will sustain such efforts and bring them down to the grassroots.

Hence, the summit launched the 162 to 52 Coalition as a means of bringing together the country's key sectors to focus efforts on accelerating developments in maternal and child health. Aside from the good line up of speakers in the summit, which included the current and past secretaries of the Department of Health; governors and mayors; business leaders; and international agency representatives, the summit held an exhibit which featured priority areas for maternal health programs as well as the modes of public-private partnerships (PPPs) that may be undertaken by the attendees.

The summit is just a step, albeit a commendable one, towards the reduction and ultimately, the elimination, of maternal deaths in the Philippines. The real journey begins on a bumpy road.

Click here to join the Coalition.
For more info, contact the Zuellig Family Foundation via the following telephone numbers +63 (2) 821-4332, 821-4428, 8213329 .

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Let me end this post with this simple yet inspiring and creatively-rendered video shared by Ms. Ugochi Daniels, Country Representative of the United Nations Population Fund.

Postscripts from the Acquittal

December 14, 2011 marked the anniversary of Hubert Webb's freedom. That is, after spending more than 15 years in prison for a crime he clearly did not do.

I have learned much from studying the case and the dynamics that surrounded it--no matter how unpretty they were. But more than anything else, the best lesson taught to me by my curious quest is the primacy of logic over punishment, and of truth over communal belief. Justice would have been never served for the Vizconde women without opening ourselves to facts and moreso, if we reproach the wrong men for the sake of putting several someones on the receiving end of punishment. Sadly, up to this day, the case remains unsolved. (Read more at The Blind Lady in World of Womanity.)

When the Supreme Court decision was read on TV last year, I was reeling from the shock of an epinephrine shot during a week-long hospital confinement. It was not at all a very pleasant experience yet, the news somehow made me forget about my ordeal, considering the far more bigger battles fought by everyone who believed in Hubert's innocence (and by the man himself). Some of us had been condemned for stating the facts and even the innocent ones were brought into a virtual word fight.

That everyone includes my friends at the Justice for Hubert Webb group who I came to know, quite accidentally, as part of my quest.

* * *
In celebration of the the first anniversary of his acquittal, Hubert held a Thanksgiving Mass last Wedenesday in Parañaque City. Family and friends attended, including his fellow acquitted, Pyke Fernandez, and former legal counsels, Former Senator Rene Saguisag and Atty, Vitaliano Aguirre.

The group with former senators Freddie Webb and Rene Saguisag,  Atty. Vitaliano Aguirre, and Hubert's brothers, Fritz and Mike.

The group with the Webb brothers--Mike, Fritz, Hubert and Jason.

Photo shows Pyke and Hubert.

* * *

"The duty of the prosecution is not merely to secure a conviction, but to secure a just conviction."

-- Supreme Court Associate Justice Maria Lourdes P.A. Serreno

* Credits to Alma Go for the pictures.

On Women and the Workplace: The Need for Breastfeeding Centers (Part 1)

Being a working mom is a tough act. Unlike most freelance jobs, being one is, in essence, handling two full-time jobs at the same time, which entail extreme flexibility, lots of multi-tasking, and 24/7 availability.

But how do working moms manage, considering that the demands of the household do not pause from 9 to 5 and resume thereafter? Is the typical workplace in the Philippines friendly to mothers who breastfeed and bear the burden of losing a much-needed nanny?

So I ran a quick survey on one of my Facebook group's wall and subsequently, received some interesting answers.




Some of these answers include the following:

• a day care unit for our children
• a vendo machine for napkin, tissue, etc. 
• [if it] offers additional sick leaves for dysmenorrhea days
• a "breastfeeding room" with deep freezer or ref where breastfeeding working mommies can privately pump and store breast milk

Section 22 of RA 9710, known as the Magna Carta of Women, impels the State to provide--

support services that will enable women to balance their family obligations and work responsibilities including, but not limited to, the establishment of day care centers and breastfeeding stations at the workplace, and providing maternity leave pursuant to the Labor Code and other pertinent laws.

In conversations with former and current women employees of some government-owned and controlled corporations (GOCC) such as the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation and the Social Security System, I learned that day care centers catering to the children of their employees were established from way, way back. In addition, in one of my trips to another GOCC, the Securities and Exchange Commission, I saw that a breastfeeding center for lactating moms is set up right beside their infirmary.


The Case for Breastfeeding

While it is good to note that the government walks its talk, notwithstanding the fact that the said centers were built prior to the ratification of the Magna Carta, the private sector still has a long way to go in providing similar services. Optimistically, June Isis Evasco writes about the increasing support for breastfeeding in the workplace in an article published on smartparenting.com.ph. Evasco lists down the names of companies/organizations providing lactation facilities here.

Said initiatives should actually be replicated in other offices, following the provision stipulated in RA 10028 or the Expanded Breastfeeding Act of 2009, which mandates all government, non-government agencies, institutions, and establishments to put up "lactation stations" that are compliant with the standards set by the Department of Health. Additionally, the law provides rewards to abiding companies with tax incentives that can be up to twice the cost of the station.

Some organizations may be exempted though, in instances when the establishment of a breastfeeding center is simply not feasible, like when there are only a few female employees and when the office space is simply limited. But this does not mean that nursing moms can no longer express milk during office hours. In fact, employers are obliged by the Expanded Breastfeeding Act to grant their nursing employees "lactation periods" of not less than 40 minutes per eight-hour work day, on top of the lunch and coffee breaks already being provided.

To learn more about  Your Breastfeeding Rights, click here.


To be continued...

Victoria's Secret Fashion Show 2011

A lot of pink, sexy loungerie worn by the angels on the 2011 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show, radiating waves of inspiration for us women to take care of our bodies well.

Angels go boombadoomboomboom with Nicki Minaj.

Lovers on the catwalk: Maroon 5's Adam Levine holds and kisses girlfriend, Anne Vyalitsyna, while she sashays on the catwalk. Now, that's a hot number.

Run for Posi+ive Lives

The Department of Health recently reported yet another set of alarming statistics on HIV infections in the Philippines. Read: 253 more HIV/AIDS cases in September. Ninety-five percent of these cases were males--mostly in the 20 to 29 age group and in the National Capital Region. (But ladies, this does NOT mean we're safe!)

HIV just gets closer and closer to home.

As such, no activity is as timely as the Run for Posi+ive Lives--the country's first ever run for HIV and AIDS, which will be held at the CCP Complex, Pasay City on December 10, 2011, Sunday, at 5:00 am.

The run aims to eliminate ZERO new infections, ZERO AIDS-related deaths, as well as ZERO discrimination for persons living with HIV.

So hurry! REGISTER NOW.

* * *

WHERE TO REGISTER:

1. ONLINE REGISTRATION: www.pinoylifeguide.org

2. REGISTRATION SITES

• Philippine NGO Support Program, Inc.(PHANSuP)

4F VD&S Building, 59-B Panay Ave., Quezon City 1103 Philippines
Tel (+632) 332-1914

• REEBOK

#2118 Level 2, Trinoma
EDSA Corner North Ave., Quezon City
Tel. (+632) 900-6952

• ROYAL SPORTING HOUSE

#256 Level 2, Glorietta 4
Ayala Center, Makati City
Tel. (+632) 752-7084

• ROYAL SPORTING HOUSE

2ND Level, Alimall
Araneta Center, Cubao, Quezon City
Tel. (+632) 421-9561 / 56

• THE SHOE SHOP

2nd Level, Rockwell, Makati City
Tel. (+632) 898-1297

• PUBLIC HEALTH UNIT

University Health Service
University of the Philippines,
Diliman, Quezon City
Look for: Grace Santos
Tel. (+632) 981-8500 loc. 2709

• RESEARCH INSTITUTE FOR TROPICAL MEDICINE

Department of Health Compound,
Filinvest Corporate City, Alabang, Muntinlupa
Tel. (+632) 809-7599 / 807-2628
Look for Ms. Elizabeth Navo

18-Day Campaign to End VAW

Sharing this post from Facebook:

The Philippine Commission on Women (PCW), the national machinery for the advancement of women under the Office of the President, together with the Inter-Agency Council on Violence Against Women (IACVAWC) and the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) will once again lead the observance of the 18-day Campaign to End VAW from November 25 to December 12, 2011. The 2011 Campaign shall highlight the Philippines as a country where stakeholders are united to Stop VAW Now. As such, the Philippines is part of the worldwide campaign of the UN Secretary General dubbed as “UNiTE to End Violence Against Women Campaign.” Through UNiTE, the entire UN system, the government, civil society, women’s organizations, male advocates against VAW, young people, media and the private sector will join forces to raise public awareness, increase political will and resources, and strengthen partnerships in stopping VAW.

In this regard, we would like to know if your organization or networks are doing related activities in observance of the 18 Day campaign to end VAW. We appreciate if you could provide us information of the said activities. Please help disseminate info to your friends and contacts. I can be reach through my email: ycar14@yahoo.com or 09173239227. Thank You.

World of Womanity is cooking up something--will keep you posted.

Cheers!

Stop, Look and Feel: Doing Your Breast Self-Exam Right

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Do you know that "breast cancer is the most common cancer in women worldwide," notwithstanding the fact that it is also one of the major causes of death among women globally? In the Philippines, Health Secretary Enrique Ona cited  the 12,262 new breast cancer cases with 4,371 deaths in 2010. Moreover, he revealed the health department's latest findings, which state that three out of 100 women in the country are likely to develop breast cancer in their lifetime. (A woman's risk of developing the cancer increases with age.) Sadly, breast cancer survival rates in the Philippines is one of the world's lowest at below 40 percent compared to developed countries which have achieved 80 to 90 percent survival rates.

The thing is, breast cancer is a curable disease . . . when detected, treated and managed early. Beginning in your 20s, you should already be taking conscious efforts to protect yourself. The Breast Self-Exam (BSE) is a widely recommended method of ensuring early detection among women. It is easy to perform, aside from being free and having no known side effects.

So this is how you go about your BSE:

STOP

Source:
http://www.eventpromotionsnow.com/images/Products/12485_sml.jpg

Count seven to 10 days after your first day of menstruation when your breasts are no longer tender. This is the best time to perform your BSE. (For women who no longer menstruate, determine a fixed day for your monthly BSE, e.g. every 18th day.)

LOOK

If this is your first time to do BSE, then take this as an opportunity to get to know your breasts. Stand in front of a mirror and take note of the shape and size of your breasts, the color and shape of your nipples, and so on. Get to know your breasts through these four simple steps: 1) with your arms at your sides; 2) with your arms overhead; 3) with your hands pressed firmly on hips; and 4) while bending forward. Soon, you would have to compare this first thorough look at your breasts with your next inspections. You have to take note of any changes, including the retraction/inversion/pulling in of nipples, any bloody or colorless nipple discharge, persistent lumps, and dimpling of the skin.

FEEL

You may perform this BSE method while lying down and/or in the shower. Women with fuller bosoms are advised to go for the first option.

While Lying Down

To examine your right breast, simply follow these steps:

1. Place a pillow under your right shoulder.
2. Put your right hand under your head.
3. Check the entire breast area with the finger pads of your left hand.
4. Use small circles and follow an up-and-down pattern.
5. Use light, medium, and firm pressure over each area of the breast.
6. Feel the breast with the surfaces of the second, third, and fourth fingers, moving systematically and using small, circular motions from the nipple to the outer margins.
7. Gently squeeze the nipple for any discharge.

For your left breast, repeat these steps using your right hand.

While in the Shower


It is said that many women discover masses on their breasts while in the shower. These steps should be easy to administer.

1. Raise your right arm.
2. With soapy hands and fingers flat, check your right breast.
3. Use the same small circles and up-and-down pattern described earlier.

Repeat on the left breast.


Should you notice any changes, abnormalities, lumps or anything unusual with your breasts, DO NOT PANIC. See a doctor immediately for the next exams to be administered.

* * *
In the meantime, I am sharing Philippine-based I Can Serve Foundation's Early Breast Cancer Detection Guidelines, as narrated by Ms. Lea Salonga. (Please visit http://www.icanservefoundation.org/ for the Filipino/Tagalog and Visayan versions.)



Sources:
1. Breast Cancer Foundation. Breast Self Examination.
2. Department of Health. Breast Cancer Medicines Access Program Grand Launching.
3. E-medicine Health. Breast Self-Exam.
4. Parenting Weekly. How to Perform a Breast Self-Exam (Photos).

Feminist Recollections

For this post, allow me to make some relevant recollections since I just came across an old announcement, which I never knew existed until this evening. This announcement was actually an invitation to my undergraduate thesis defense/presentation from way back in 2004.

As expected, my research was on women and gender. I wanted to know if gender bias existed in IT-based jobs in key government agencies. The results, apparently, were not exciting--there was no bias.

But this is looking at the results in retrospect. At that time, I felt that there was bias against women regardless of what the statistical analysis yielded. Honestly. My presentation must've sounded more like prosecution than defense that my adviser had to say, "bakit mo pipiliting meron ang wala (why insist something when there isn't any)," in our post-presentation talk. I may have now forgotten the important details of my thesis but what's etched very well in my memory was my first real lesson on objectivity.

As a feminist and a development worker, I have been taught the art and science of changemaking where the status quo is challenged and the views, almost always critical. Without objectivity, there is a mighty possibility of losing sight of things in the bigger picture. Changemaking then becomes a mere pointing of fingers and nagging on the streets. At some point, we become displaced and eventually, miss our goals.

Hence, it is important that we look for facts, study them with an open mind and see them as they are. Forget what we were taught before (and what we have learned to believe). If the facts challenge the popular belief, we should not be afraid to go against them. But if the facts yield nothing new, then we should have the humility to admit so.

The Development Studies Program cordially invites everyone to two Development Studies Students' Seminar presentations: 

Hiroshi Inabi will be presenting his paper on factors affecting the willingness of tricycle drivers to join Philhealth's insurance program. Mr. Inaba will present the findings of his study at the Development Studies Program Office on Wednesday, October 13 at 2:00 p.m. Dr. Ma. Eufemia C. Yap, M.D., Coordinator of the Ateneo Health Unit will serve as discussant.

Joyce Talag will be presenting her paper on gender bias in government information technology offices. Ms. Talag will present the findings of her study at the Development Studies Program Office on Friday, October 15 at 11:30 a.m. Ms. Ma. Lourdes V. Rallonza, gender relations lecturer of the political science department, will serve as discussant.

These presentations are part of a series of presentations by Development Studies students. We would like to ask interested parties to inform us of their attendance through ds at admu.edu.ph or at local 5218 (c/o Melissa Mar) so that we can make the necessary arrangements.

From https://lists.ateneo.edu/pipermail/blueboard/2004-October/004100.html.

Let's spread "HOT Love"

Helping Our Teans (HOT) Love is a social marketing and mobilization project under the Master of Development Communication Program of the University of the Philippines Open University. It aims to help eliminate dating violence among teens, which is a form of violence against women (VAW), through social media.

Attaining the project's objectives requires a two-pronged approach. One, HOT Love seeks to empower young women such that they can proactively prevent the incidence of dating violence. At the same time, HOT Love intends to develop gender sensitivity among young men as a means of ensuring that no forms of dating violence will ever be committed.

Stop dating violence.
Help Our Teens Love with respect.

Join HOT Love.

(Like us on Facebook)

UPDATE:
1. Manila Bulletin Press Release: Manila Bulletin. Up students develop site to campaign against dating violence. URL: http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/334036/up-students-develop-site-campaign-against-dating-violence. Uploaded: 12 September 2011.

Next in World of Womanity

Here's a clue on what I will be working on in the next few weeks:

(In case playback fails, please go to this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&v=k2C5TjS2sh4)

I'm sure you recognize the song and the movie where this appears. :p


Yours,
Joyce

Signs You Might Become a Cougar

The past decade or so gave rise to the MILFs, as well as liberalized a collective fetish that's kept in repression. Thanks to that hit teen movie, American Pie, which popularized the abbreviation of "Mom, I'd Like to F---."

Essentially, it isn't just the MILFs. Older women in general seem to have gained their traction on a growing number of male species. On many occasions, it is these women who unabashedly prey on the younger males; hence, proliferating the cougar-cub relationship in our highly diverse dating jungle.

There are a number of definitions for cougar being offered by Urban Dictionary. Some say that cougars are women past their primes who are once again on the hunt for dates, often clad in overly skimpy outfits that are enhanced by padded bras and some cosmetic wonders. Yes, definitions can be downright offensive so let's just stick to the basics. Simply put, a cougar is an older woman, in her mid-30s to 50s, who prefer to date significantly younger men without the usual fuss 20-something women go about.

"Mrs. Robinson, you're trying to seduce me. Aren't you?"

This is a classic line from the 1967 movie, The Graduate, which gives us an idea that cougars have long been in existence. It is only now, however, when they have become a bit more acceptable to society. We've learned to love Ashton and Demi whose ages differ by 15 years, and so do Susan Sarandon and Tim Robbins. Locally, we have sexy Eula Valdez dating young ramp model Rocky Salumbides, as well as the controversial couple, Dr. Vicky Belo and Hayden Kho. Of course, there are more cougars and cubs who would rather be nameless in this post. But one striking thing about the women I mentioned is that they are all independent and successful, which explains why they won't give a damn about the men they choose to date or go steady with.

Now, for those in their 20s and early 30s, you may be afraid of losing your own prey to an older, more experienced woman. I can't give you any advice other than for you to free yourself from the relationship B.S. 20-somethings usually give, if you're in such competition.

You might as well make a self-check: Are you on your way to becoming a cougar? Check out these top 3 signs:

1. You start noticing cute high school and college boys in clubs and cafes, aside from secretly liking one of the Jonas brothers. 

2. You prefer to go dutch on dates, and on countless occasions, feel the urge to foot the bill—perhaps, in exchange of a footsie under the table? 

3. Skilled men and men in uniforms start to catch your fancy.

Additionally, you might be owning a pair of animal print underwear, which you love to wear when you're feeling strong and sexy. RAWRRR!

* * *

Check out Pinay Cougar at http://pinaycougar.blogspot.com.

A Reader's Feedback

As a blogger with the purpose of empowering women to make informed choices, I find it very fulfilling everytime someone approaches me to discuss the issues--no matter how mundane--I write about in this blog.

Last week, during a break at the ladies' room, a colleague in my now former workplace told me that she was considering getting a Brazilian wax. This was after reading one of the most-read posts in World of Womanity, Meet the Brazilian (Waxing) v.2. We went on to discuss the pros and cons of getting a Brazilian, and even compared it to widely-used alternatives like trimming and shaving. That both of us came from the same viewpoint is worth mentioning: Contrary to usual notions of 'bald' women, our practice of waxing or trimming or shaving is really all about maintaining good hygiene.

I find moments like this so liberating and empowering as a young woman. Cheers to us who break stereotypes! :-)