BEING a woman living in a patriarchal society means existing in a world where rights are constantly undermined, boundaries are crossed, and identities are reduced to objects of the ‘male gaze.’ Growing up, I was surrounded by expectations: how I should look, how I should dress, and how I should behave. The phrase “kababae mong tao!” echoes all too familiarly, a reminder not just for me, but to countless Filipinas, that womanhood is often policed, and rights are infringed upon. 

Some might read this article saying, “But women have the same rights as any other gender, what more do women even need?” Yet the real question remains: do women truly experience these rights equally, as everyone else? 

According to the World Health Organization (WHO) and UN Partners in their report last Nov. 2025, nearly one in three women, estimated 840 million globally, have experienced partner or sexual violence during their lifetime. In the same report, it stated that 263 million women also experienced sexual violence by a non-partner since the age of 15. Figure experts warn it is likely under-reported due to stigma and fear.

       Here in the Philippines, the Department of Social Welfare’s Protective Service Bureau (PSB) handled a total of 6,883 cases of Violence Against Women and Children (VAWC) in four months alone from August to November last 2025. 

         In 2025, the research report reflects upon the ongoing reality of women and how their rights are continuously violated, especially in the Philippines, where Filipino women experience systematic barriers to justice and support. 

Every month of March, the Philippines celebrates National Women’s Month, and specifically on the 8th, we commemorate International Women’s Day. This commemoration not only celebrates the achievements of women but also provides a platform to address critical issues concerning women’s empowerment and gender equality.

However, changing someone’s mindset does not happen in just a snap of a finger. 

Some people still believe that women should always put men first and follow their lead. On a hierarchy scale, women should always be below men, as they should only be reduced to a follower—submissive at best. Some might disagree, but as a woman, I have heard countless words that strip away dignity and undermine self-worth; remarks that, disturbingly, have been normalized by society.

Ironically, in the first few days of March, Rep. Bong Suntay, openly expressed obscene remarks during a live telecast—referencing to actress Anne Curtis during a House hearing on the impeachment case of Vice President Sara Duterte. In his analogy, he recalled his reaction upon seeing her, stating, “(N)ag-init talaga. Na-imagine ko na lang kung ano ang pwedeng mangyari.”

I must ask Rep. Suntay then: how can your previous remark—“I don’t see anything illegal in those statements. In fact, ang sinabi ko nga nakita ko siya ang ganda-ganda niya,” be considered as a compliment to Curtis? 

       Alvin Aragon, known for multiple controversies surrounding religion and gender equality and as the husband of the former Sexbomb member, Izzy Aragon, also made side comments on Suntay’s controversy; “Kaya Filipino men, protect your wife. May ‘sin of lust’ kasi. And Filipino women, [should] dress modestly to avoid sexual desire. Kasi nga may sin of lust.” But then again, who is Alvin Aragon to decide what clothing women should wear?

In addition, a few days ago, Xyriel Manabat, a well-loved veteran child actress, had also experienced similar vulgar remarks on social media. The user “Boss Toyo Mani” posted on Facebook, containing a photo of himself with Manabat along with sexualizing remarks towards her body; since then, the post has gone viral. Manabat, who is well-known for her advocacy for protecting women, stated that the user will face legal charges. 

“Imagine kung gaano kahirap ang buhay ng isang babae…It’s never about the piece of clothing. Nakapantrabaho ako. Maayos ko siyang kinausap,” she said in an interview. This statement, in itself, reflects the harsh reality many women continue to face; not only in the Philippines, but around the world. 

So, no, Alvin, women should not feel the need to dress modestly just to protect their own safety; women still experience objectification no matter the piece of clothing they wore. The responsibility does not lie with the women’s clothing, but with those who choose to view them through a sexualized lens. It is not the women who initiated the ‘sin of lust,’ rather the persistence of attitudes that objectify them, regardless of what they wear. 

From government officials to ordinary citizens, these attitudes continue to persist, revealing how deeply ingrained sexism and misogyny remain in everyday interactions. Whether voiced in formal spaces or casually expressed in social media, such remarks reflect a broader culture that continues to tolerate, excuse, and normalize the objectification of women.

So now, what solutions do we need to demand? Is dismantling the patriarchal system even possible for a country full of sexist government officials?  

 Before anything else, we must raise awareness, challenge harmful norms, and empower communities in standing firmly for the rights of women and children. And to begin addressing these challenges, we must elect officials who will genuinely protect the rights of women and children alike. Elect people who not only speak about equality during the campaign, but actively uphold it through their actions, policies, and accountability in office. Elect officials who recognize that respect is non-negotiable, and who are willing to change the systems and attitudes that continue to harm and marginalize women. 

The women's march wouldn’t end until we begin electing officials who genuinely prioritize the safety and rights of everyone. The march will continue: not as a one-month event, but as an ongoing movement, until we dismantle the patriarchal systems we have long allowed to persist for so long.