'IPPF pride’

Leading int'l RH advocacy group shares RP honor as world cites 2 Filipinas as world’s ‘most inspiring’

By FLORENCE HIBIONADA, Philippine News Service
March 14, 2011

The International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF), a leading advocate for sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) joins the Filipino pride as the world honors two Filipinas as among the world’s best.

Included into the list of “Women Deliver 100: The Most Inspiring People Delivering for Girls and Women” were Iloilo First District Representative Janette Loreto Garin and Sister Mary John Mananzan.

The lady solon is Deputy Majority Leader in the Philippine House of Representatives and known champion of reproductive rights in the country.

Sister Mananzan on the other hand is Prioress at St. Scholastica’s Priory, Founder and Executive Director of the Institute of Women’s Studies at St. Scholastica’s College.  Sister Mananzan is cited for integrating feminism into faith in the Philippines

Both are IPPF stalwarts and longtime IPPF allies alongside 8 more others likewise honored and cited for exemplary SRHR advocacy.

As such, IPPF is most proud with the recognition for Zainah Anwa of Malaysia, founding Member of Sisters in Islam and Director of Musawah.  Anwa is instrumental in setting the record straight on women’s rights within Islam.

Also in the renowned list is Guo Jianmei of China, Founder of the Women’s Legal Research and Services Center and Qian Qian Law Firm.  Guo, the IPPF said, has since provided crucial legal aid to women in China.

There is also Ban Ki-moon of South Korea, Secretary-General of the United Nations who has pushed for global efforts to meet the Millenium Development Goal 5, the reduction of maternal deaths.

Other IPPF stalwarts in the list of “Most Inspiring” people are Xie Lihua also of China, founder of Rural Women Magazine and the Cultural Development Center for Rural Women and champion of China’s rural women.

Marina Mahathir of Malaysia, a journalist, columnist and blogger honored for speaking out on Islam, gender equality and HIV/AIDS in said country.

Somaly Mam of Cambodia, Founder of AFESIP (Agir Pour les Femmes en Situation Precaire) and the Somaly Mam Foundation who worked not only to end sex-trafficking but support its survivors.

Catherine Hamlin of Australia, Doctor and Founder of the Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital who cares for women disabled in childbirth.

And finally, IPPF is equally proud of Mu Sochua of Cambodia, Member of Parliament and human rights advocate for championing gender equality in the Cambodian parliament.

IPPF is in the forefront of the literacy drive on SRHR with sustained efforts throughout the East and South East Asia and Oceania Region.

To note, a list of 100 women was drawn by Women Deliver, a global advocacy organization that brings together “voices from around the world to call for action against maternal death.”

The list highlighted this year’s worldwide celebration of the 100th year of International Women’s Day.

And for Romeo A. Arca Jr., IPPF Manager for Advocacy and Public Affairs, it was one big reason for the IPPF and the world to indeed celebrate.

Women Deliver, Arca shared, gave due recognition to “women and men, both prominent and lesser known, who have committed themselves to improving the lives of girls and women around the world.”

The honorees, he pointed out, came from the fields of health, human rights, politics, economics, education, journalism, and philanthropy, “and represent a great diversity of geographic and cultural backgrounds.”

With the shortlist of 100 came hundreds more whose contributions made a great impact to the continued battle against maternal and infant deaths alongside women’s sexual and reproductive health and rights.

“We are quite excited about this list because many IPPF stalwarts made it to this list. Further, you will see women and men from our region who showed exemplary models of what it means to defend women’s sexual and reproductive health and rights,” Arca said.

Incidentally, the Philippines played host in September to Women Deliver Philippines, the country’s biggest multi-sectoral conference that worked for the delivery of solutions for girls and women.

IPPF for its part also made possible the visit of lawmakers and international media from some six Asian countries last November.  The four-day exchange of ideas focused on the need to invest in SRHR with the sharing of respective experiences among said key stakeholders.