SiGAw is an organization serving Filipinas in the Los Angeles community. We strive to build a strong Filipina women’s mass movement, recognizing that the problems of the Filipina diaspora are linked to the root problems of the Philippines. SiGAw addresses the rights and welfare of women through education, organizing, campaigns, and cultural work. SiGAw is a member organization of GABRIELA-USA and BAYAN-USA.
iVOW to Fight VAW
For women around the world, the struggle against violence is a stark reality. More so with Filipino women who grapple with poverty in a feudal patriarchal context.
Indeed, the intensifying economic and political crisis in the country is increasing vulnerability of women to gender-based violence. Gruesome stores of violence committed on women and children have become more common fare in TV, radio, and print media. Most are committed on individual women, but an increasing number involve groups of women in the case of sex trafficking, cybersex, pornography, and prostitution. It is this reason that GABRIELA considers the issue of VAW as its core gender-based campaign.
Violence Against Women is defined as:
The use of intimidation, threat, forced or coerced physical, sexual, psychological or emotional abuse against women.
This may happen or occur inside the home, in the community, or at the hands of the
state or government.
This is a violation of basic human rights.
YOU can help the fight to end Violence Against Women by making the pledge and VOW to fight VAW today!
1. Invite GABRIELA USA to your organization to educate your members about violence against women (VAW).
3. Organize! Join the GABRIELA USA campaign by attending activities, volunteering, or donating resources.
2. Download and sign the pledge card and take your vow to end VAW through GABRIELA USA’s photo booth, or take a photo of yourself and email to info@gabusa.org. Become a part of a network of VAW advocates and have your photo posted on GABRIELA USA’s website!
3. Spread the word! Take every opportunity to share knowledge and information on the issue.
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End Violence Against Women and Children
Women around the world struggle against violence on a daily basis. Filipinas are affected twofold as they are subject to a feudal-patriarchal system both in the Philippines and in the diaspora.
As the economic crisis worsens, Filipinas are becoming more vulnerable to gender-based violence, not only as individuals, but also entire groups are affected. The endless and increasing number of reports of maltreated/abused/deceased domestic workers and mail-order brides, child prostitutes, and victims of sex trafficking proliferate the news, television, and various human rights organizations. SiGAw, along with GABRIELA-USA and GABRIELA Philippines has taken up VAWC (Violence Against Women and Children) as the driving force behind the work that we do.
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Reinstate Funding to Domestic Violence Programs in CA
In July 2009, CA Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger cut $489M million from the state budget, which was passed by state legislature. The most alarming cuts were to the state’s health and human service, which include the Department of Public Health’s Domestic Violence Program. This program provides $20.4 million in funding for 94 domestic violence shelters and centers throughout California. Without this funding, and in the middle of a worldwide economic crisis, shelters and resource centers are scrambling to find alternative funding and are forced to shut their doors.
State-wide, battered women and children are deeply in need of the resources provided by shelters and support groups. These organizations provide direct counseling services, legal and emotional support, as well as advocacy and community education and prevention programs. SiGAw is appalled by the cuts and as a result has taken up a letter writing and phone campaign to push for the reinstatement of funding to domestic violence programs. SiGAw understands that as CA is a trending state, other states throughout the country are at risk to follow in the footsteps of Governor Schwarzenegger. It is imperative to our work that we strive to resolve this injustice locally before it becomes a national occurrence.
