Rep. Risa Hontiveros gives a speech at the International Women’s Day Rally at the front of the Batasan Pambansa. 8 March 2011.

Speech by the chairperson of the Partido ng Manggagawa.

Cooky Chua and Bayang Barrios perform together.

I had so much fun that day. The speeches, and the energy of everyone who marched with us were inspiring. I hope we yelled loud enough for the congressmen and congresswomen inside to hear our demands for equality. I live in a country where the law looks on me as a mere baby factory, and pregnancy is not a beautiful act of love but a punishment for having sex. This needs to end. I hope to be able to keep marching with these wonderful men and women, until one day –soon — we will no longer have to.