More than 20 community members rallied at San Jose City Hall to celebrate the history of the gender equality and women's rights movements, in honor of International Working Women's Day.
The event was organized by local advocacy group Party For Socialism and Liberation (PSL Bay Area) and sponsored by other groups including Black Liberation and Collective Knowledge (B.L.A.C.K.) Outreach.
Organizers focused on a number of different demands for a positive future in which women have more equal opportunities, including the fight against international exploitation of women in the workplace.
Jacqueline Rivera, a member of grassroots organization San Jose Anakbayan, said many women in the Philippines experience exploitation in the workforce. .
San Jose Anakbayan is an organization focused on National Democracy in the Philippines, according to its website.
She said because the economy is failing, many Filipinos have issues finding jobs and the red-light district in the Phillipines is one of the few places where many women could find work most easily and conduct sex work.
“They are forced to migrate to the United States in order to find a better life… they face issues such as low wages and long hours, especially if they’re living in their employer’s house as a maid or nanny,” Rivera said. “This is a real situation of migrant Fillipinos, even here in our backyard in Santa Clara County.”
Many migrant women who suffer from unfair working circumstances are too afraid to speak up out of fear of retaliation, Rivera said.
Nancy Robles, Party For Socialism and Liberation group member, said she believes society decides that women should settle for what they already have, which prevents them from following their dreams and doing “what they are actually destined to do with their lives.”
Robles shared her personal views on the “unfortunate reality” for women in society that prompted her to make certain choices, including not having children.
“That choice was taken away from me because we can’t have children when we’re afraid that the cops are going to shoot our babies,” Robles said during the event. “Where is my right to choose money for the children’s education system and not for war?”
Another example Robles mentioned is how grocery stores have made it difficult for people to have children because baby formula is so expensive.
Mayra Pelagio, advocacy director of non-profit group Latinos United For A New America, said she is involved with helping migrant workers who experience challenges while working in America.
Pelagio said immigrant communities are oppressed by low wages, giving women and men no other choice but to work two or three jobs.
“This must stop, we must stand together to demand higher wages to end the exploitation of women’s labor worldwide,” Pelagio said.
Pelagio explained that low wages and excessive work schedules cause unstable mental and physical health among migrant women, because of the harsh working conditions and stress of performing many tasks simultaneously.
“It is our duty to fight for our freedom. We must love each other and support each other. We have nothing to lose but our chains,” Pelagio chanted with the attendees.
Pamela Emanuel, vice president of advocacy group B.L.A.C.K. Outreach, said she believes the event’s turnout was good, yet intimate.
Emanuel said she wants more people to be involved in upcoming events to further advocacy for women.
She said she appreciated the variety of different speakers who touched on different concepts regarding feminism.
“Women's rights are constantly being attacked,” she said. “I don’t think we actually sit in a collective group and talk about feminism.”
