Under the Manila heat, men wore heels, doll shoes, and other women’s footwear as they mounted a rally against sexism, misogyny, and gender-based violence in support of International Women’s Day.
Male members of the Akbayan party-list literally walked in women’s shoes as they highlighted the issues and struggles Filipino women faced in the country.
“To walk in women’s shoes is not an easy task. Every day we experience and are victims of different forms of sexism, misogyny and gender-based harassment and violence in workplaces, homes, communities, and online. Araw-araw naglalakad kami sa gitna ng kabastusan, karahasan at kawalan ng pagkakapantay-pantay (Each day we walk amid harrassment, abuse, and the lack of equality),” Akbayan President Rafaela David said.
David said that through the event, the group asserted that the struggle for women’s rights and gender equality was not fought among women alone.
“If we want a truly more equal and democratic society, we should embrace one another’s struggles and see the bigger picture that women empowerment and gender equality are the cornerstones of a real democracy,” David added.
