Voters urged to elect candidates supporting women's rights

Advocates are urging Filipino voters to elect candidates who champion women's rights as the midterm elections approach and in observance of National Women's Month.

Daryl Leyesa of Pambansang Koalisyon ng Kababaihan sa Kanayunan hopes candidates will address women's issues, such as reproductive health, during debates.

She challenged the media to question candidates on their stances regarding divorce, abortion, and the SOGIE Equality Bill.

Nandy Nenoc of the Family Planning Organization of the Philippines observed that many candidates avoid discussing reproductive health to not offend conservative groups like the Catholic Church.

Nenoc suggested continuous voter education to promote candidates supportive of family planning and reproductive health.

Leyesa and Nenoc also called for a collective stand against regressive policies on bodily autonomy, advocating for stronger public health services, better protections for marginalized communities, and increased representation of women in decision-making roles.