‘Women’s rights an advocacy, way of life’
“Fighting for women’s rights cannot be just an advocacy. It has to be a way of life.”
This was pointed out by Supreme Court Associate Justice Maria Filomena D. Singh during her meeting with members of the Better World Cubao, a center for mothers and women in Cubao, Quezon City, last March 8 in celebration of International Women’s Day. Singh was with her younger sister, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Singh Vergeire, during the gathering.
Justice Singh said: “Ito po ay bahagi ng ating pagkatao. So, hindi lang siya advocacy. Nananalaytay ‘yan sa dugo ninyo dapat ‘yung pagtayo at paglaban para sa mga karapatan natin (This is part of our life. Thus, it is not mere advocacy. It runs in our blood to stand and fight for our rights). That should be part of who you are. Kaparte ng buhay ninyo (Part of your life).”
“Kasangkap na po lahat diyan. Hindi lang po sa health issues, tungkol sa legal rights din, kasama na din po ‘yung sa environment, lalo na ‘yung sa gender (Everything is included. Not only on health issues, but also on legal rights. Also, on environment and especially on gender issues),” Justice Singh said.
When asked how women can empower themselves, Justice Singh said: “Women should give their best and put their heart into whatever they do.”
“I always say this, you don’t wake up in the morning and tell yourself, I’m going to go out and be a superhero today and show everyone. Hindi po ganoon (not like that). You just go and do your daily routine. Kung ano po ang na-aatas sa atin, gawin natin sa abot ng ating makakaya. Ibigay po natin ang puso natin doon sa ginagawa natin. Doon manggagaling ‘yung lakas ninyo (What should be done you must do to be best of your ability. You should give your heart in everything you do. It is there where you get your strength),” she said.
A former trial court judge and an appellate court justice before her promotion to the SC, Justice Singh is co-chairperson of the Committee on Gender Responsiveness in the
Judiciary and Asia-pacific regional director of the Association of Women Judges.
Together with Undersecretary Vergeire, Singh said they take pride in their work as they stressed that they are putting in honest and hard work in their respective fields to bring back the public’s trust and confidence in the government.
Justice Singh said she wants to change the perception against public servants who are looked down upon by some as being corrupt and unproductive.
Thus, she cautioned all women to “know their rights and fight for them and help raise consciousness and responsibility especially that the election season is next year.”