Cristina Palabay is the Secretary General of Karapatan Alliance, a national alliance working for the promotion and protection of human rights in the Philippines. She serves as the alliance’s spokesperson, oversees its day-to-day work, and leads it in advocacy efforts in the enactment of laws on human rights including those against torture and enforced disappearances, and for the protection of human rights defenders and indemnification of victims during Marcos’ martial law. She was recognized as among the recipients of the 2019 Women Have Wings Courage Awards. She is also a Regional Council member of APWLD, a feminist regional platform of more than 200 grassroots women’s organizations in the Asia Pacific region. She is also serves as a country advisor to the Urgent Action Fund for Women’s Rights-Asia Pacific, a member of the Systems of Solidarity Advisory Group of ESCR-Net, and Karapatan’s representative to the Global Coordinating Committee formed by Front Line Defenders on attacks against human rights defenders. Through her years as an activist, like many of her colleagues in Karapatan, she has faced death and rape threats, surveillance, and judicial harassment, because of her staunch defense of women’s rights and people’s rights, but she continues to do her work as a human rights defender.
Noor: Firstly, what do you think are the major and emerging threats to bodily autonomy that you’re experiencing from fundamentalist / authoritarian movements?
CP: The whole gamut of threats against bodily autonomy in the Philippines is far-reaching and immense. There are threats on the right to life and liberty of women human rights defenders with the continuing extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances and abductions, illegal or arbitrary arrests and detention. Other threats include red-tagging, physical and digital surveillance and intimidation, including threats of death, physical violence, rape and sexual violence).
A deeply patriarchal and sexist culture exists. A recent Philippine Supreme Court decision re-defining rape as an act or crime which results from penile penetration is likewise a dangerous decision that is bereft of perspectives on the social contexts and lived realities of women. Implementation of key legislation on the violence against women, sex trafficking, and the Magna Carta of Women remains lacking and inadequate. Proposed legislations on divorce and SOGIE, as well as on the recognition and protection of women HRDs, are still not prioritised by lawmakers and current administration.
Noor: What are the key ways in which feminist movements are challenging authoritarianism and fundamentalisms (in your context)?
CP: Feminist movements in the Philippines have a vibrant history of resisting and challenging authoritarianism and fundamentalisms. This includes public advocacy and information, education and awareness raising, organising, networking, strategic litigation and lobbying, and international solidarity building.
Noor: What overall, do you see as the gaps in feminist/progressive challenges to the far right? What isn’t being done that should be done to support and advance anti-fascist and anti-fundamentalist movements, and/or what should there be more of? What should be amplified or supported or better connected?
CP: There appears to be a dire need for international solidarity building, both a challenge and an opportunity because of the multi-faceted attacks against feminists and progressives in every country. There should be more regional or global campaigns that would involve and put at the front and center national and local movements.
Increased material and financial support is direly needed for core funds of various national and local women’s organizations, that should address increasing risks and threats against WHRDs.