Women deserves equality and inclusion into every facet of the society. We
owe it not just to women but to the society and ouryouth, to give proper regard to
women in our history and governance.
Our nation's history is fraught with untold stories of women's heroism in
our countqy's struggle for independence - from the Spanish-American war to the
years of Philippine's struggle from American colonization to the Japanese
occupation during the second world war. Even the making of our national flag
which is the ultimate slmbol of our country's independence, was done by three
women whose names most of us barely know and which our museums and
historical records have not properly given proper recognition to, and must have
been forgotten, save for Fernando Amorsolo's painting and Napoleon Abueva's
sculpture of them.6
But until now, no historical institution exists which is devoted to the valor,
fortitude, legacy and self-sacrifice offered to the country by Filipino women. No
institution that profiles, individually or collectively, the achievements that
Filipinas have achieved in society, either here or abroad. But it should not be of
much wonder, since even the United States of America's women are still deep in
their own struggle for an actual National Women's History Museum. Their
online National Women's History Museum was founded in tgg6 and until now its
prime movers are yet in the thick of their own campaign for an actual, living
women's museum with a physical and organizational structure and funding of its
own.7
Thus the need for the creation of a National Filipino Women's Museum in
recognition of women's contributions to Filipino life, history and development,
arts and culture is but sound and befitting. It will also honor individual women
whose specific achievements have enriched and impacted all aspects of life and
commemorate modern-day heroines and martyrs who struggled against injustice,
oppression and exploitation.
RECOMMENDATIONS
The Commission on Human Rights firmly advises that the following
recommendations be included in the bill:
1. In Section z. Declaration of Policy, the statement of Section z.t, may be
enhanced by adding the following, to read;
"Recognize women's historic contributions and role as a
potentforce to the Filipinos' deuelopment as anation and
a
people."
Aside from the women's historic contributions, their active participation in
the continuing development of the country and the people must also be
recognized and appreciated. Their involvement must be inculcated into the
national psyche, acknowledged and given space in a realistic and dynamic
perspective.
2. In Section 2.6, the Commission strongly suggests
6
t}te inclusion of the
https://filipiknow. netlphi lippine-flag/
'Whiting,
Susan, Why We Need a National Women's History Museum,
http://time.co
national-womens-history-museum/
2
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