Rising to the Challenges

“We are not naive,” a statement from the Executive Director of UN Women as she opened the First Regular Session of the Executive Board last 13-14, February 2023. As she stated the current situation of the most deprived and abused women in the world, I have come to the realization that we are still blessed.

Here in Davao, although we do not have absolute peace, still we are not at war. Although not everyone has the capacity to speak and exercise their rights, we are not silenced. The realities the women from other countries face are far from what we are experiencing; and this must make us feel blessed.

Our challenges here may appear not of significance because they do not include the loss of lives, however we still are very much fighting the problems of verbal and mental abuse, online and in-person trafficking and rape.

As we continue to reflect in this season of Lent, we pray for all the women who cannot save themselves and do not have the freedom of choice. We also among ourselves do our very best to be aware of our rights and stand up for them.