By Rachel Evans
and Ray Fulcher

MANILA -- “Women in the Philippines suffer discriminatory hiring practices, unequal wages, sexual harassment in the home, factories and streets as well as the double burden of housekeeping” stated Noime Salalac, chairperson of Kababaihan, the Congress of Women for the Motherland.

Kababaihan, the largest socialist women's organisation, plans to mobilise 200,000 women for May Day.

Twenty-seven local organisations of teachers, youth, urban poor, government employees and other women workers make up Kababaihan, which was formed last October. Twelve non-government organisations and seven schools and universities are affiliated.

According to Kababaihan, 50% of women are sexually harassed. Harassment is common in the workplace, and women working night shift report the most cases of rape.

With official unemployment at 9%, discriminatory hiring and firing is widespread. A woman who falls pregnant is automatically fired. “Women never get promoted into supervisory positions”, explained Salalac. “Even as government employees, male workers are chosen above women.”

Because there is no child-care for women workers, some mothers are forced to leave children locked up at home. Kababaihan reported instances where children have died in fires in these conditions.

Urban poor women bear the brunt of harsh living conditions because of their role as housekeepers, reported Elizabeth Luarez, a staff member of the NGO Sapat (All Peoples Incorporated). “Most urban poor areas are not serviced with water or electricity. Women are forced to make do with what little they have. Families cannot afford to send their children to school, so women mind the children during the day as well.”

Kababaihan managed to draw 6-10,000 people to this year's International Women's Day rally, which had as its central theme the revitalisation of the socialist movement for women's liberation.

On May Day, Kababaihan is calling for unity of women and the advancement of the women's movement. It plans to continue to explain the origins of poverty, the causes of sexual harassment and how capitalism oppresses women.

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