To the Young Women of Malolos

1. What do the young women of Malolos want?

- A group of young women in Malolos, Bulacan participated in a peaceful movement
for educational reforms. The authorities came up with educational policies that were
discriminatory against women who wanted to pursue higher education. The women of
Malolos struggled to disprove the principle that women are destined to be
homemakers and demonstrate that women are at par with men in other fields of
endeavors. The effort of the Women of Malolos is recognized as one of the most
important events that contributed to the development of feminist movement in the
country. This group of young women personally handed their letter of petition
addressed to Governor-General Valeriano Weyler to allow them to put up a night
school where they can study the Spanish language under Teodoro Sandiko.  Their
action received diverse reactions from the pro-friar sectors and the reformists because
it was viewed as protest against the political power of the friars. Although these
women were raised by well-to-do families and enjoyed a life of luxury, they opted to
be educated rather than to be contented with what society expected from them. 

2. Why was the request denied by the Spanish authorities?

- The request of the women did not get the approval of the governor-general due to the
meddling of the friars in the state affairs in the person of Fray Garcia who went up
against it. To the friars, it would be better off of leave the women ignorant of the
Spanish language so that their minds will not be penetrated by the liberal ideas since
most books were written in Spanish. Gaining knowledge would make them crave for
freedom and demand to human rights which were deemed a threat to Spanish rule and
the power of the Church. 

3. What was the advice Jose Rizal gave to the young women of Malolos?
- The message conveyed to the young women of Malolos centered on salient points
such as the denunciation of the abuse of the friars in exercising their spiritual
authority bestowed upon them by the church, traits Filipino mothers must have; duties
and obligations of Filipino mothers to their children, functions and errands of a wife
to her husband, and guidance to young women on their choice of a lifetime partner.
- Rizal supported their fight on having the right to educate themselves. He
enunciated his great desire for Filipino women to enjoy the privileges in education
along with men. Moreover, he appealed to women to be heedful of their rights and
not to be docile towards many injustices forced upon them. Men and women are born
equal. God did not create men and women to be slaves, nor did he embellish them
with reason only to be blinded by others.
- In addition, Rizal defined in his letter the obligations and roles of the Filipino mothers
to their children. A mother must teach her children to prefer death with honor to life
with dishonor. Mothers should inculcate the following values to their children: love
of honor; sincere and firm character; clear mind; clear conduct; noble action; love for
one’s fellowmen; and respect for God. Rizal also reminded them that the education of
the children should not be limited to religious activities. He stressed obedience and
reason as the highest virtues that one must possess. He also taught them to become
more reasonable rather than being blind from the truth; emphasizing that there is
braveness among women that was just hidden because of excessive ignorance but
now, they are able to do things that a man could do.