Coordinates 14.584560, 120.990358 Vice President Dr. Cindy Ang | President Virginia M. Peralta | |
The Young Women's Christian Association of the Philippines (YWCA of the Philippines) is a member of World YCWA, a global network of women that leads social and economic change in more than 120 countries all over the world. It advocates for peace, justice, human rights and care for the environment, raising the status of women for more than a 100 years. The movement was established in the Philippines in 1926.
History
In 1921, the Filipino Women’s Time Investment Club was informally organized by women who thought female college students and young professionals boarding at the Hugh Wilson and Ellinwood dormitories should spend their free time productively by serving others, attending prayer groups, caring for the needy, and visiting the prison, Welfareville and institutions for abandoned children. In 1926, the same group of women became the core of the first YWCA in the Philippines, which was formerly known as the Manila YWCA. The organization was assisted by the YWCA based in the United States of America.
Manila YWCA’s programs flourished by 1926. A Downtown Center at David street, Manila and a headquarters and dormitory at 852 R. Hidalgo Street were opened. The Headquarters and dormitory provided a place where girls and women could rest, eat their lunch and meet friends during the noon recess work, as well as a physical education training course, sponsored camping trips, and character education and citizenship training through Girls Reserve Club.
Along United Nations Avenue (formerly Isaac Peral Street), an office was opened, however, it was taken over by the Japanese Army during World War II. YWCA women volunteers demonstrated supreme courage as they provided relief and social work at the fall of Bataan. They gave food and wooden shoes to the marchers which saved them from starvation and extreme exhaustion.
The women volunteers rented a small house in Capas, Tarlac, doing risky endeavors. Relatives of soldiers visit them, hoping to hear about their imprisoned relatives. They smuggled letters and notes from relatives to the prisoners, and food and medicine for the sick.
The courageous acts of these women were acknowledged by the Philippine government. In 1955, Mrs. Josefa Jara Martinez and Filomena Florendo, and several guerilla resistance heroes, were awarded the Philippine Legion of Honor with the rank of officer by President Ramon Magsaysay.
At present, the YWCA of the Philippines with its 28 local associations and hundreds of thousands of members, continues to be run by volunteers regardless of religion, with a wide variety of programs: prayer conferences, sessions on values formation, social skills, physical and sports activities, livelihood training, sessions on the prevention of HIV/AIDS, youth camps, leadership training, peace efforts, elimination of discrimination against women, protecting the rights of the vulnerable population, development of servant leadership, among others.