A CAMPAIGN was launched to serve as a compelling platform to raise awareness and call for stronger legislative protections for prostituted women and girls on Tuesday, April 22, 2025, at Ateneo de Davao University.
The Dilag 2025: Paglaya sa Tanikala featured a gallery showcasing stories and experiences amplifying the voices of women who have lived through systems of exploitation. The powerful and awe-inspiring narratives were grounded in hope and resilience, urging the public to rethink the deeply embedded perceptions around prostitution.
The campaign also urged the public not to objectify women but to look at them as people deserving of dignity, support, and justice.
The activity was followed by a forum with a distinguished panel of resource speakers from various women's rights and advocacy groups. Jeanette Laurel-Ampog of Talikala Inc., Lory Pabunag of Lawig Bubai, Jhoanna Cayanan of the Young Feminists Collective Davao, and Dr. Jean Lindo of Gabriela Women's Partylist shared their critical insights into the lived realities of prostituted women, the shortcomings of the current legislative frameworks, and the urgent need for systemic change.
Their inputs offered both personal and political perspectives, grounding the conversation in both grassroots experience and policy-level action.
“For Talikala and Lawig Bubai, and other feminist organizations, including Dilag, prostitution is the oldest form of exploitation of women,” Jeanette Laurel-Ampog emphasized, framing the discussion with historical and feminist context.
Lory Pabunag stressed the importance of educating boys early on about respect for women. “Sa karon pa lang, tudluan na nato ang mga kabatan-unan nga mga kalalakin-an unsaon pag respeto sa mga kababainhan nga dili tan-awon ang babae as sexual object or sa balay lang, pero tan-awon ang babae isip usa ka tao nga naay knowledge — naa siyay kakayanan or kapasidad nga mutindog, mubarog, mustorya kabahin sa iyang mga katungod.
(As early as now, we have to teach young men how to respect women, not to look at them as sexual object or for household only, but let us look at them as a person with knowledge – she has strength or the capacity to stand, rise, and to air her rights).”
From a youth advocacy lens, Jhoanna Cayanan reminded the audience: “As youth, whenever you see prostitution, you need to be able to discern na dili lang na siya isolated nga issue (that it’s not an isolated issue), but it's a matter of why they ventured into prostitution.” She concluded her talk with a powerful message: “Prostitution is not just a moral issue. It’s a structural, power, youth, and feminist issue.”
Dr. Jean Lindo pointed out the gaps in protection and legal safeguards: “Wala parin tayong proteksyon (We still don’t have protection) against violence, trafficking, and exploitation. Kulang sa (We lack the) safeguard of rights, health, and well-being.” She added, “What we need is a unified approach, better guidelines, clearer support for consistent legislation.”
Through Dilag 2025, the students demonstrated how communication can be a powerful tool for social change. The event was not only a culminating activity but also a call to action and a step towards justice and freedom for prostituted women and girls. Aliah Trica Marciano, HCDC Intern
