Happy International Women’s Day from the International Association of Women in Radio and Television (IAWRT)

Today, we stand with women everywhere who face injustice—economically, socially, and politically.

In a world still shaken by war and conflict, it’s women and children who suffer the most.  

We remember the young girls killed in a school bombing in Iran last month by US-Israeli forces.  

We grieve for the hundreds of children in Gaza who have died or are starving.

We honor the courage of women who fight abuse—online and offline.  

Women who speak up against violence, even when their own governments silence them.

We also remember brave women leaders we’ve lost:  

– Yanar Mohammed (Iraq),  

– Berta Cáceres (Honduras),  

– Walaa Al Jabari (Palestine).  

They were killed for defending nature, their communities, and the truth in their work.

These realities are frightening. But fear will not stop us.  

Women must come together, stand strong, and keep fighting for justice.

Too many countries are in crisis because of power abuse by a few.  

And too often, women and children pay the price.

In the Philippines, women are still mocked and disrespected by politicians.  

President Bongbong Marcos attended the UN’s Commission on the Status of Women—yet said nothing to defend women at home.  

While he was away, Trump pushed aggressive policies—and the Philippines risks being pulled into conflict through US military bases.

We also stand with Frenchie Mae Cumpio, a community journalist still in prison.  

She was arrested in 2020 on false charges.  

In January 2026, she was finally cleared of “illegal possession” charges—but still wrongly convicted of “financing terrorism.”  

Six years of her life taken for crimes she did not commit.

Today, IAWRT says: We will not be silent. 

We will keep fighting all forms of violence against women.  

We will stand together.  

We will speak the truth—no matter how hard the road ahead.