Women in the Philippines are greatly oppressed by both bourgeois and feudal attitudes. The feudal mentality does not credit women with the ability to think, while the bourgeois attitude is that women are pieces of merchandise. However, an increasing number of women are overcoming their oppression as women and are becoming active in the struggle against the repressive US-Marco dictatorship, which serves brutal landlords and monopoly capitalists.

"We do not view the relationship between men and women as antagonistic," we were told by Kasama (comrade) Juliana - a leader of a peasant women's organisation. "It is not a question of sexes but of the poor uniting against exploitation."

Women's Harsh Lives

The lot of peasant women in the semi-feudal countryside is harsh. The head of the household is always the man. Women are usually tied to babies, the care of chicken and pigs, and household chores. With girls expected to become housewives, boys are given priority in education. Very few peasant families can afford to send all their children to school.

Young girls are often forced into prostitution to earn money for the family. There are many cases of landlords raping women and literally snatching wives. Wife beating is common in areas not under the influence of the NPA (New Peoples Army).

When the NPA begins working in a barrio, drawing women into the struggle is a key objective. At the beginning, emphasis is put on working with farmers and young people. The farmers readily see the need for genuine land reform. Women take longer to grasp the aims of the revolution because they play little role in actual production. Great stress is therefore initially placed on getting women involved in productive work.

Revolutionaries Combat Sexism

Struggles are waged simultaneously against the sexist attitudes of the men. The success we saw in achieving a share in domestic tasks shows the effectiveness of educating both men and women.

The NPA plays an important role in combatting the physical abuse of women. In one barrio we visited, we heard the case of a woman who was beaten regularly by her husband. On one occasion he nearly strangled her. The NPA fighters were asked to intervene. They spoke to both the wife and husband, explaining to him why his actions were wrong. Collective pressure was applied through the farmers' organising group of which he was a member. Eventually the problem was resolved.

In cases where abuse continues, severe penalties, including death, may be applied where repeated warnings fail and the woman agrees.

Courage Through Education

Although men play an important part in educating their wives, the women have their own separate organisations and the more advanced are trained for leadership. Some women engage in combat tasks but women are more often given responsibility for political education. They are less likely than men to be suspected, and are also more effective in educating women in the barrios who are still hesitant about talking with men they don't know well.

With increasing numbers of women gaining confidence and political understanding, they now play a vital role in the party and the army. Their skill and courage demonstrate their dedication to the struggle to overthrow the repressive regime.