De Lima lauds women behind #BabaeAko campaign for global recognition

Opposition Senator Leila M. de Lima has commended the Filipino women behind #BabaeAko campaign for making it to the list of Time magazine's "25 Most Influential People on the Internet" for 2018.

De Lima, who was recognized by Amnesty International (AI) as one of the notable Women Human Rights Defenders Under Threat, expressed her admiration for the women of #BabaeAko who courageously stood up to misogynists like Duterte.

"To the courageous women of #BabaeAko, a hearty congratulations for TIME's recognition as one of the 25 Most Influential People in the Internet! Much deserved!" she said in her Dispatch from Crame No. 337.

#BabaeAko was recently launched by rights groups and netizens in stark rebuke to Duterte's insensitive remark expressing his preference for a "non-woman" appointee in a top government post.

Since its launch last May, more women used the hashtag #BabaeAko to protest sexism and misogyny, which led to a street protest on June 12 calling on President Duterte's resignation.

According to Time Magazine, the influencers, including the women of #BabaeAko, were evaluated "by looking at their global impact on social media and their overall ability to drive news."

"Since taking office in June 2016 [Duterte] has developed a reputation for rape jokes and sexist comments. But on May 20, a few days after he stated that a woman should not be the next Chief Justice, a dozen women-from activists to artists-decided they'd had enough. Under the hashtag #BabaeAko (I Am Woman), they uploaded videos calling out sexism in the Duterte administration," TIME said in an article.

The Senator from Bicol said she stands with the women behind the #BabaeAko campaign whose movement contributes to the betterment of the Philippine society.

"What you stand for is of immeasurable impact on the over-all movement for decency and civility in our broken society today. Your trailblazing campaign is a big gain for humanity. I'm with you always," she said.

In Time Magazine's roundup of most influential people on the Internet, the Filipino women of #BabaeAko also joined the ranks of several celebrities including pop star Rihanna, rapper Kanye West, and K-pop group BTS, among others.

In 2017, Time Magazine has named De Lima as one of its "100 Most Influential Leaders" where she was classified among the Icons of the World for "speaking truth to power" over the human rights violations on the government's all-out war on drugs.

Despite her continued unjust detention, De Lima has authored and co-authored several bills and resolutions advocating women's rights, including Senate Bill No. 1438 focusing on the protection of women in state custody and Senate Resolution No. 670 calling for a Senate inquiry into the implementation of the GAD plans and programs under the present administration.