Gabriela HK marks 9th year with a call for women to speak up

Women’s group Gabriela Hong Kong celebrated its ninth founding anniversary on Sept 23 on Chater Road, Central, with a call on Filipinas to “stand up and fight”.

Various groups and alliances took part in the program to show solidarity with Gabriela HK in its advocacy to stand up for the rights and welfare of all Filipinos, particularly migrant women.

 Members of Gabriela HK took turns speaking about the group’s plans and programs, and ended the event which lasted for more than three hours, with a cultural performance.

Members of Gabriela Hong Kong celebrate their 9th Anniversary with a call: Migrant Women, Stand Up and Fight.

Guest speaker Dolores Balladares-Pelaez of United Filipinos – Migrante HK focused on issues affecting migrants, such as the illegal collection of placement fees, the various government exactions on overseas workers, and their low wages.

She reminded everyone to support calls to regulate the working hours of migrant workers, and ensure decent accommodation for them.

Pelaez also dealt with the skyrocketing prices of basic goods in the Philippines, brought about by the government-sponsored TRAIN law, and their impact on the lives of ordinary Filipinos.

For her part, Gabriela HK chairperson Shiela Tebia-Bonifacio, condemned President Rodrigo Duterte’s statements about women, in particular his jokes about rape.