“I can finally say that I can stand on my own.”
Luchie is a member of National Rural Women Coalition (PKKK), which is made up of small farmers, fishers, indigenous people and workers in the Philippines. ActionAid Australia has been partnering with PKKK to ensure that women’s rights are protected during emergencies like Typhoon Haiyan, which hit the Philippines in 2013.
The Philippines is at high risk of disaster, which disproportionately affects women due to existing gender inequalities. This results in an increased risk of violence, and a higher burden of unpaid care.
With the support of the Australian Government under the Australian NGO Cooperation Program and our generous supporters, ActionAid Australia and PKKK have established a Women’s Emergency Network and trained 30 rural women’s organisations in protection and resilience during disasters. This vital training has strengthened the collective leadership and resilience of women like Luchie in humanitarian responses.
It’s incredible to see what is possible when women are supported to lead disaster preparedness and response ensuring that their rights are firmly on the agenda when disaster strikes.
Want to find out more about our work in the Philippines?
Women’s Rights in the Philippines