One of the many reasons a lot of our concerns go unaddressed is that we don’t know where to turn to for help. Women deal with a multitude of problems, from sexuality and reproductive concerns to the challenges that come with being the breadwinner of the family to, sadly, threats and instances of violence.
There are a few government and non-government initiatives that women can turn to. Here’s a list of women’s centers you should take note of:
Likhaan
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Likhaan Center for Women’s Health, a non-government and non-profit organization that advocates reproductive health, offers counselling and distributes contraceptives to women. They also hold seminars that provide reproductive health information. Likhaan currently has eight branches across the Philippines.
Batis Center for Women
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Many Filipinas working abroad are abused and exploited. Batis Center for Women is a non-government organization that assists these women and their families by empowering them and lobbying their concerns to the government.
Women and Children Protection Center
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Under the initiative of the Philippine National Police to promote the welfare of women, the Women and Children Protection Center handles cases of abuse—from trafficking and domestic violence to cyber-exploitation. They provide legal assistance and conduct investigations. They also conduct rescue operations and raise awareness on these problems.
Women’s Care Center, Inc.
Women’s Care Center, Inc. provides therapy and psychological care to survivors of abuse. They also provide them with long-term support through the “Survival Training Program,” which they also open to the survivors’ relatives.
Bahay Pangarap Women’s Center
Incest has always been taboo—but it’s real and happening. Bahay Pangarap Women’s Center opens its doors to incest survivors, providing them shelter and hygiene kits. As a halfway house, Bahay Pangarap Women’s Center also provides spiritual rehabilitation for survivors of abuse, which is meant to help them eventually become self-sufficient.
Art by Tricia Guevara
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