Gender Equality

Ladies and Gentlemen!

We are living in this world surrounded by different types of beliefs, preferences, ideas
and judgments. If we say judgement, we are talking about fairness and equality and there
are always a question pop-up in our minds how to deal with people who’s preference is to
be different. Being different is not a question at all because we have our own choices of
happiness particularly on gender equality that somehow affects our freedom.

For you? What is Gender Equality? Do we define this as a social problem or we just
have to ignore and forget about it? But in this present society, we just cannot ignore and
stand at the corner and act as if nothing is happening.

Gender equality is a human right. Human rights are for everyone. Nowadays, gender
equality is not only for one specific preferences. But, it is for everyone. For men, women,
lesbian, gay, transgender, queers and androgynous+ community.

Okay! Lets move the time backwards. Men were supposed to be firm, not emotional and
most of all strong. Women are always behind men’s shadows. They cried when they are in
pain. They shouted when they are angry. They complain when we they are not satisfied and
they were treated just like a servant. Third sex were not treated accordingly. They were
being discriminated, bashed, wasted and worst of all they are treated as a persons with
contagious disease. That’s why my question is; Do we really need to empower gender
equality? Do we really need fair judgement? Because on todays society we cannot assure
that we can have this what we called gender equality. However, if we changed our mindsets
and widen or perspective in this issue we can discerningly achieved what our hearts really
wanted and that is to be free.

When thinking about gender equality, don’t just associate the word with women but
start to think how men including the LGBTQA+ community are experiencing the exact same
problems and someday in the future everyone will have equal rights and every situations
will be assessed accordingly no matter what gender and People deserved equal rights and
opportunities.

People’s judgement and perception about gender equality are not the same. We have
our own opinion and stand. We cannot please everyone on how they will understand what
gender equality means. In this present moment in time worlds equilibrium are not stable the
way it seems. We are facing a depth and serious concern in may things and one of those is
the issue about gender equality.

I was once criticized about my gender preference and it is not easy to deal people
with narrow mindset. I have a short story to share. “ At the age of 17, I became independent
without the presence of my “MAMANG and PAPANG”. To help myself, I keep on finding job
that will sustain my daily needs and every time I went for a job interview I am always asked
with a question “ Kaya mo ba ang mabibigat na trabaho o magiging pasanin ka lang ng
kompanyang ito? “. I feel embarrassed with that question because I knew myself that
whatever work or task given to me, I can do it with flying colors. It is so sad but true that
some of us are not yet opened to a possibility that we can be equal in terms of work. I
strongly believe that if a man can carry a tons of gold, women can also carry a tons of
gems, and LGBTQA+ can carry a tons of diamonds.

Now, I must say to achieve equality specifically each one of us should empower the
word R.E.S.P.E.C.T. Thank you!

- Rabe, Abel C.