Yellow Ladies Movement a key to empower women

By GINA DEAN-RAGUDO, Samar News.com
October 30, 2011

CALBAYOG CITY  –  Just in time for the 60th birth anniversary of the late Mayor Reynaldo S. Uy, Ining Uy’s Foundation and the Yellow Ladies Movement (YLM) have finally taken its initial step when over five thousand people gathered on October 28, 2011 at the Northwest Samar State University Socio-cultural Hall for the joint launching and mass induction of officers representing the different towns and two cities of Samar province.

It was learned that Yellow Ladies was conceptualized when the family was grieving for the untimely death of Calbayog Mayor Reynaldo Uy where it was noticed that most women who attended the wake were wearing yellow shirts or suites.

In an interview with Aica Uy-Delgado, eldest child of the late mayor, she said that yellow means seeking justice; and for over six months, the family is still hungry for justice.

But the death of her dad would not stop her from pursuing its advocacy in protecting women and children whose primary objective as a doctor is to save lives.

Aware of the present economic status of Samar, Uy’s eldest sibling felt it‘s time for the Yellow Ladies Movement to do something to alleviate the situation of women by empowering themselves.

Saddened by the notion linking the YLM to politics, she clarified that the movement will stand up fighting for the rights of women and children and the key members of the community.

“I hate to tackle the recall election. Ang sa amin ni Eunice (referring to Board Member Eunice Babalcon), may recall o wala, YLM will stand. We don’t need election, we don’t need position, we don’t need the capitol, we need the people, we need to empower them,” she said.

She added that she wanted to change the traditional “dole-out system” where Samareños relied so much from politicians and government efforts.

For more than a month of tapping some municipalities in the province, over ten thousand women signified their intentions to get involved with the movement.

As a new organization, YLM Executive Chair Aica Uy-Delgado wanted to make Samar a hub of all its efforts and initiatives.

Among the programs that they would like to implement first are the feeding programs for the children, visit newly-born babies and mothers in their respective centers or units and providing them support.

Aside from the personal connections that they would like to establish in the community, YLM also wanted to create awareness in regard to the pressing situation happening in the society such as human trafficking and educate them the rights of women and children as mandated in the constitution. Furthermore, the movement assured to provide them with psychological, legal and health care interventions to rebuild their self-confidence thus, making them worthy citizens of the country.

The YLM doesn’t only recognize women but also gay members of the community.

To sustain their programs, different initiatives have been planned out such as fund-raising activities, seek donations from other benefactors and organize tournaments involving other towns and cities.