Indigenous Women fight against plunder, repression, and government neglect!

On this International Working Women’s Day, we salute the courage, strength, and unwavering leadership of Indigenous women who continue to stand at the forefront of the struggle for ancestral land, self-determination, and genuine social justice.

Across the Philippines, Indigenous women confront the daily realities of land grabbing, militarization, and economic neglect. They nurture communities, defend ancestral territories, and lead resistance against destructive mining, dams, plantations, and other projects imposed on our lands without our consent. For generations, Indigenous Women have been pillars of our people’s struggle to defend our land and life. Yet the state continues to answer their courage with repression.

Currently, there are 13 Indigenous Women political prisoners unjustly detained. Their continued detention reflects the intensifying criminalization of Indigenous leaders and human rights defenders who dare to oppose landgrabbing, environmental destruction, and state violence in their communities.

Indigenous Women leaders are also vilified and falsely named as terrorists. The Anti-Terrorism Council has arbitrarily designated Jennifer Awingan and Sarah Alikes as terrorists in a blatant attempt to silence their work defending ancestral lands and the collective rights of their peoples. These baseless accusations reveal how the state weaponizes its laws to intimidate and suppress legitimate dissent and grassroots organizing.

Indigenous women also bear the brunt of worsening poverty and economic hardships. The rising prices of basic goods, burdensome taxes such as the Value-Added Tax (VAT), and the continued lack of basic social services push Indigenous communities deeper into poverty. Instead of providing accessible healthcare, education, and livelihood support in far-flung areas, the government prioritizes the interests of large corporations and foreign investors. For Indigenous women, who often shoulder the responsibility of providing food, care, and stability for their families, these economic attacks only worsen their already difficult conditions.

But Indigenous women refuse to be silenced.

On January 23 in Dupax del Norte, Nueva Vizcaya, Indigenous Women stood firmly at the frontlines of a people’s barricade against Woggle Corporation. Six of them were illegally arrested but were later freed. Their arrest was meant to intimidate the growing resistance, but instead it revealed a deeper truth that Indigenous Women remain among the most determined defenders of the land.

We honor the legacy of Petra Macliing, Ina Endenna, Bai Bibyaon, Marilyn Quierez, Mayeth Corpuz, and many other Indigenous Women leaders who stood at the forefront of the fight against displacement, environmental destruction, and militarization. Their courage lives on today in the growing ranks of Indigenous Women and youth who are rising to defend our ancestral lands and collective future. We salute the present generation of Indigenous women leaders and young Indigenous defenders who continue to carry forward this proud legacy of resistance.

On this International Working Women’s Day, we raise our voices and demand:

Free all Indigenous political prisoners now!

Remove the terrorist designation against Jennifer Awingan and Sarah Alikes!

Stop the criminalization of Indigenous land defenders and human rights advocates!

End destructive mining, dams, and development aggression in Indigenous lands!

Uphold Indigenous Peoples’ rights and ensure genuine social services for our communities!

As long as ancestral lands are threatened and Indigenous rights trampled upon, Indigenous women will continue to rise, resist, and lead!

Reference: Funa-ay Claver, National Coordinator, Katribu