From Ang Bayan: Women Stage Protests Against Marcos Jr Regime On International Working Women’s Day

Ang Bayan Ngayon | March 9, 2025

Thousands of women led by Gabriela protested in various parts of the country to mark the International Working Women’s Day on March 8.

Along with other organizations, they gathered at Liwasang Bonifacio in Manila before traveling to Laguna to support the striking workers of Nexperia in Cabuyao, Laguna. On that day, the state forcibly ordered the workers back to work through a return-to-work order issued by DOLE. The majority of Nexperia workers are women.

In Laguna itself, a rally was held at Olivarez Plaza, Los Baños. Gabriela Youth-University of the Philippines-Los Baños (UPLB), League of Filipino Students-UPLB, UPLB student councils, and the Inter-Sorority Council participated in the protest. They highlighted UPLB’s bureaucratic response to handling sexual harassment cases and the difficulty of accessing services for women.

In Batangas City, 300 women gathered in Balayan, along with coordinators from Makabayan and Gabriela Women’s Party. They performed the One Billion Rising protest dance as part of their commemoration.

In Baguio City, Innabuyog-Gabriela led a rally at Igorot Park. They called for an end to violence against women. They also condemned attacks on women activists and demanded the dismissal of fabricated cases of “financing terrorism” against them.

In Naga City, a march and program were held at Plaza Quince Martires. Simultaneously, Bicolana Gabriela launched a program in Legazpi City.

In Iloilo City, Gabriela Women’s Party (GWP)-Panay and GWP-Guimaras, MASIPAG-Visayas, and Panay Alliance of Concerned Citizens for Health and Environmental Protection held a forum at Jubilee Hall, St. Clement’s Church to discuss women’s conditions and struggles. They marched to Iloilo Provincial Capitol after the forum and performed a protest dance there. A march-protest was also held in Metro Colon, Cebu.

In Davao, women activists and their allies rallied at Freedom Park.

During these protests, women condemned the Marcos regime’s failure to lower commodity prices, lack of jobs, low wages, and worsening socioeconomic conditions for the people in general.

“The skyrocketing prices of basic commodities are a direct attack on Filipino women who bear the burden of making ends meet for their families,” Gabriela secretary general Clarice Palce said. “Especially amid the lack of regular jobs and stagnant workers’ wages and income, women shoulder the burden caused by Marcos Jr’s inaction in controlling rising food prices and other expenses.”

According to Gabriela, this situation exposes women to abuse and other human rights violations. They also presented the women’s agenda covering women’s conditions and grievances; as well as their commitment to advancing women’s struggles everywhere.

“The women’s agenda is the people’s agenda, and we will fight for it in all arenas. Let us hold the US-Marcos regime accountable! It holds all power and, above all, bears the greatest responsibility to address our demands,” Palce said. Marcos must be held accountable for Filipinos’ suffering, especially since the state’s neo-liberal policies have caused it.

“We will eradicate the infestation in Malacañang and Philippine society that bring nothing but hardship to women and Filipino citizens,” she added