Oxfam to launch free online events — from arts festival to PETA play— for Women’s Month

Oxfam Pilipinas has prepared an exciting line-up of online events for the public in celebration of Women’s Month in March and as part of the month-long #HerNowHerFuture campaign.

The humanitarian and development organization, which advocates gender equality, will be kicking off the month with an arts festival featuring various performers on March 1, 5 p.m.

The event, dubbed Babae ang Simula, Babae ang Bukas Festival, will include performances from Aia de Leon, Bayang Barrios, Nar Cabico, Beverly Cumla (spoken word artist), the Shadow Arts Theater Organization of Palo in Leyte, and many more.

The said performers will join influencer Rica Salomon, Community Pantry PH founder Ana Patricia Non, United Nations Population Fund’s Country Representative Dr Leila Joudane, and other organizations in panel discussions.

The public can sign up to attend the arts festival, hosted by Oxfam Pilipinas Ambassador for Resilience Antoinette Taus and broadcast journalist Mariz Umali, by registering on Zoom (https://bit.ly/IWD2022Festival) or by tuning in to Oxfam Pilipinas’ Facebook Page.

Oxfam Pilipinas Country Director Lot Felizco said Oxfam and its partner organizations are celebrating Women’s Month to amplify women’s voices and to highlight their contribution to society.

“Our celebration will not only recognize women’s leadership and skills but will also call for a future where everyone will be treated equally and will be protected from discrimination, the effects of the pandemic and other crises such as climate change,” Felizco said.

She added that Oxfam’s Gender Snapshot survey has shown that women had increasingly limited access to support services against gender-based violence, as well as sexual and reproductive health services, during the COVID-19 pandemic. Because of this, there is a need to continue calling for gender equality - for women and the LGBTQIA community in the Philippines.

PETA theater play

Oxfam Pilipinas also partnered with Philippine Educational Theater Association, which won the prestigious Ramon Magsaysay Award in 2017, to offer to the public for free the “Babae ang Bukas Virtual Play.” The original play, jointly crafted by PETA and Oxfam, will showcase the experiences of Filipinas during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The Covid-19 pandemic has exacerbated social, economic, gender and racial inequalities. But despite these challenges, women have stood up and have fought hard.  Through these stories, we hope to inspire all people to effect change and build a future with dignity, compassion and fairness,” said PETA Executive Director Beng Santos-Cabangon.

“PETA pays tribute to all women and their remarkable contributions to humanity via these creative performances and workshops. Women are change-makers – making a difference in their homes, communities and society,” she added.

Those interested may register to watch the play on March 8, 5 p.m. here: https://bit.ly/BabaePlay2022

On March 15, Oxfam Pilipinas and PETA will be premiering the “Hindi sa Isang Sulok Lang,” a 30-minute video documentary featuring the real-life travails and triumphs of five women from Maguindanao and Eastern Samar as they become advocates of women empowerment.

Online viewing on March 15, 5 p.m. is also free. Register here: https://bit.ly/BabaeDocu2022

PETA, through Oxfam Pilipinas’ support, will also be holding theater arts workshop for selected youth and women’s organizations in Eastern Visayas and Mindanao campaigning against child marriage and other injustices.

“We hope the events we have lined up, as well as the women’s stories featured in between, will inspire everyone to fight for a just and equal future,” Felizco said.