Being a woman in a world where conformity is rewarded and standing by your beliefs is frowned upon requires a quiet courage—because choosing to stay true to yourself isn't just about being different; it is an intentional act of taking up space on your own terms.
In these trying times, I've seen women who carry the torch to make the world a better, more just place for everyone.
Risa Hontiveros comes to mind. She was elected to the Senate in 2016, at a time when the presidency reeked of misogyny and political opposition was constantly under fire. She fought her adversaries not with noise, but with undeniable facts, moral clarity, and sheer persistence. Despite being in the minority for so long, she still passed landmark laws focused heavily on public health, women's rights, social protection, human rights, and good governance. A quick Google search will show her major legislative victories, including the Philippine Mental Health Act (RA 11036), the 105-Day Expanded Maternity Leave Law (RA 11210), and the Safe Spaces Act or "Bastos Law" (RA 11313). Her pending legislative measures include the Anti-Dynasty Bill and reforms to the Party-List System Act.
Roo Powell is the founder of SOSA (Safe from Online Sex Abuse), a nonprofit organization that works to combat online child sexual exploitation in collaboration with law enforcement. I first noticed her when I was watching Undercover Underage. She is a prime example of a woman who stands out by stepping into the shadows. Instead of turning away from an agonizing reality, she confronts it head-on, proving that true strength often means absorbing the world's ugliness so that the most vulnerable don't have to. Learning that she is Filipino made me even prouder, and I truly hope to see a counterpart to her work established here in the Philippines.
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