problems are rampant due to lack of privacy for physical intimacy, which sometimes lead to
physical violence. Rohaima, an IDP staying at Landa Pamana EC, concurred with this
observation. When asked about the main issue among couples, she responded by saying that
“they always fight because of poverty and there is no privacy to get intimate. Changing wears
are also a challenge. I have to cover a blanket before I could change my clothes.” In response,
fellow IDPs try to mitigate and pacify the situation. However, according to camp managers and
leaders, when the conflict is irreconcilable, IDPs would usually relay the matter to the DSWD or
the nearby Police precinct.
These kinds of reproductive labor are usually invisible in early humanitarian response. In
disaster, economic labor (an assumed responsibility of/for men or fathers) is usually disrupted –
especially in the early stage of disaster. However, for women or mothers, reproductive labor or
necessary labor – the taking care of the children, cooking, cleaning the house, etc. – never
ceases. It is significant to place this binary in perspective with regards to the situation in ECs.
Therefore, it is not only important to have an active safe space for women at the on-set of
disaster; but also, it is imperative to provide women’s rights training, educational discussion,
and workshops that are specific to the psychological, reproductive, and societal challenges of
these women, so as to create a more transformative and sustainable humanitarian response.
LIVING AT THE INTERSECTIONS
Building from the analysis from above, we then focus at the collective stories of those who have
intersecting identities. It aims to highlight the invisible and visible forces that impacts the lives
of internally displaced women and LGBTIs. This forces can exacerbate situation, worries and
anxieties of some internally displace women and gender non-binary people; at the same time
gives privilege to others. Just like the stories of Tarhata, Fatima, and Michael below, their
stories are distinct because their lives embodies the intersections of various identities of
internally displaced women and LGBTIs. In other words, the aim is not to show that one group is
more victimized or privileged than another, but to reveal meaningful distinctions and
similarities in order to overcome discriminations and put the conditions in place for all people
to fully enjoy their human rights.
Below are the interviews and conversation with the IDPs:
Tarhata is 25 years old, married and with five (5) young children. Her eldest is
five years old and her youngest is but a little more than one month old. Tarhata
is a housewife, and her husband works in a construction as a painter.
During the interview, Tarhata introduced her new born, a boy she jokingly
nicknamed as Martial Law, referring to the President’s immediate declaration of
Martial Law. Tarhata explained that she gave birth on the 23 rd of May, around six
in the evening – more than four hours since the firefight started in Marawi. She
also shared her views on martial law saying “Natakot ako nang marining ko na
mag Martial Law si Duterte, kasi narinig ko na sa nanay ko. Yung kwento nya po
agad-agad daw pong dudukutin ang mga kababaihan, yung mga pinag
iinteresan daw po ng mga sundalo, yung mga babaing magaganda tapos yung
mga lalaki bubugbugin daw nila. Kaya natakot talaga ako. Sabi ko sana di maulit
yung kay Marcos.” (I felt afraid when I heard the president declared martial law
because of the stories I heard from my mother. She said, women – beautiful
women – were abducted by soldiers, and men were beaten up. I really felt
afraid, and I hoped that this Martial Law will not be like Marcos’ Martial Law).
She shared that when the firefight started, her husband rushed home and
ordered her to pack as they are going to flee. Tarhata narrated how she
responded, “sabi nya, takbo na tayo, sabi ko, paano ako aalis eh kung masakit
na ang tagiliran ko at parang manganganak na ako.” (He said, let’s run and
leave. I answered, how can I leave if my lower back is aching already, and I feel
like I’m ready to give birth). A traditional birth attendant stayed with Tarhata
while she was in labor, and whenever they hear gun shots, the attendant would
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