WeDpro Inc.

We are a non-profit collective in the Philippines that protects human rights by upholding and and celebrating the rights of women, youth and their communities.

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ASEAN countries slow in funding women empowerment

Despite the establishment of the ASEAN Commission on the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Women and Children, member states have dragged their feet in donating money to the commission, stalling its projects and work plan

"Despite the establishment of the ASEAN [Association of SouthEast Asian Nations] Commission on the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Women and Children, member states have dragged their feet in donating money to the commission, stalling its projects and work plan," says Natashya Gutierrez, article author.

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Super typhoon-proof dome houses to rise in Dapitan

(UPDATE) Monolithic dome houses can withstand typhoons of up to 400 kph and are built at a low cost of P290,000 per unit

The Monolithic home builders company claims that these dome houses made out of basalt (rock derived from lava) can withstand super typhoons, earthquakes, and fires - and that the technology is totally green. What do you think of the design? Do you think it will work against super typhoons?

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Two Decades After Genocide, Rwanda’s Women Have Made the Nation Thrive

After genocide decimated Rwanda two decades ago, the country’s women spearheaded the efforts to rebuild and heal. Now other nations come to Rwanda to learn.

After the genocide in Rwanda 20 years ago and the subsequent wave of refugees who fled the country, 70% of the population left behind were women. What did this mean for the country? This article talks about how Rwanda's women took on the challenge and helped rebuild and heal their country. While some problems still exist - and for some Rwandans, reconciliation is not possible - it's amazing how much they've accomplished in 20 years!

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On June 19, the UN officially created International Day against Sexual Violence in Conflict, to be recognized annually. In conflict situations, sexual violence can be used as a tool of warfare, primarily wielded against women and young girls. This new International Day is meant to "raise awareness of the need to end conflict-related sexual violence and urge the international community to stand in solidarity with the survivors of sexual violence around the world."

For more info from the UN: http://www.un.org/sexualviolenceinconflict/

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Payatas, poverty, and the peanut butter project

How can peanut butter save the lives of malnourished children in Payatas?

Peanut-butter based "ready-to-use therapeutic food" (RTUF) can be used as an effective treatment for malnourished children, but is usually expensive and imported. With help from an international organization, the Payatas Orione Foundation (PAOFI) found a way to make their own peanut butter RTUF to treat malnourished children in Payatas, an impoverished community in Quezon City (Metro Manila). Their RTUF is given for free and a small bottle only costs P50 ($1.25 USD) to make.

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Thousands take to streets in Argentina to protest violence against women

BUENOS AIRES – Tens of thousands of people protested against the alarming rate of gender-based violence in Argentina on June 3rd in the capital. There was a femicide every 35 hours from 2007 to 2012 in the

"Tens of thousands of people took to the streets across Argentina on Wednesday to protest recent violence against women in a region where the abuse has been endemic...Nationwide, there was a femicide — the killing of women because of their gender — every 35 hours from 2007 to 2012, according to La Casa del Encuentro in Buenos Aires. In 2014, there were 277 murders of women in Argentina, the group estimated."

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We now have New photos and updates on Facebook for WeDpro’s “3 Islands” project focused on the 3 island barangays of Culasi (Maniguin, Malalison, Batbatan), with support from Australian Aid through the Philippines Australia Community Assistance Program (PACAP). The new photos show the building and completion of a 70-foot Emergency Ambulance boat (pictured above) that will service the 3 islands. Please visit our Facebook album and take a look!

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Banners for WeDpro/AJWS “Psychological Support for Survivors of Typhoon Haiyan in Palo, Leyte” project and its Food, Art, Healing program.

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WeDpro Project: Psychological Support for Survivors of Typhoon Haiyan in Palo, Leyte

This major WeDpro project for 2015 was made possible thanks to funding from the American Jewish World Service (AJWS). The project goal is to help the long-term rehabilitation and recovery of survivors of Typhoon Haiyan – especially women and children – in Palo, Leyte through cultural activities that provide psychological support and therapy. This project includes various activities, workshops, and events throughout 2015, such as a cooking workshop, radio programming, and youth performances. 

Please take a look at our website page and Facebook albums for more information and photos. As activities and events take place, more will be added to these pages, so check back often!

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"We don’t trust women to be the experts on their own bodies."

While this article focuses on North American contexts, gender stereotypes also affect women's health care in the Philippines. When health care professionals don't take women's reported symptoms or complaints of pain seriously, this can have dangerous results. In some cases, girls and women hesitate to talk to their doctors about health problems because they don't want to be seen as "over-reacting". In other cases, by the time proper diagnosis happens, it may be too late.

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Why women are more at risk than men in earthquake-ravaged Nepal

Women are typically more vulnerable than men, especially in patriarchal societies.

This article talks about why women are more at risk in natural disasters such as the recent earthquake in Nepal. Such risks can include death, severe injuries, vulnerability to post-disaster diseases and infections, and economic disempowerment. This of course does not mean that men don't face danger and challenges themselves during/after disasters. But it does mean that disaster response and relief efforts should factor in the increased risks for women.

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How to help Nepal: 7 vetted charities doing relief work following the earthquake

The images coming out of Nepal are harrowing. Here are vetted charities you can donate to if you want to help.

Friends, as you may know, Nepal has suffered a devastating earthquake that has killed over 2,000 people and left many injured, grieving, lacking access to resources. Having worked in disaster-stricken communities, WeDpro understands the need for rapid response and we wish the people of Nepal strength and courage. WeDpro has donated to Oxfam Canada's Nepal earthquake relief efforts. Please consider donating whatever amount you can to help Nepal - the article below suggests some vetted charities, although it is not a comprehensive list. Maraming salamat, many thanks!

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#AfterYolanda: Gaps in mental health care glaring

Yolanda survivors had suffered from mental health conditions like depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder and post-natal depression

According to the National Statistics Office, close to 70,000 Filipino suffered from mental illness. Mental health challenges such as PTSD and depression increase after a traumatic disaster like Typhoon Yolanda. But survivors don't always get the mental health support they need. Health experts are trying to change that.

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Stats of the Nation 2014 - GENDER OF GOVERNORS AND MAYORS

From towns to provinces, men dominate in local governance, data culled from the results of the 2013 elections show.

80 percent of last year's 1,622 elected mayors in the Philippines are male. Of the country's 80 governors, only 15 are women. As the link's maps show, there is high gender inequality in municipal and provincial governance.

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Health risks can have a major impact on people and their families at all stages of life. This infographic from Un Women shows the many intersecting health risk factors that impact girls and women from before birth until old age. Please share with others! While it paints a grim picture, it also offers us an opportunity to think about how we can help tackle these problems - as individuals, organizations, communities, and countries.

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This lighting system powered by salt and water will brighten millions of Pinoy homes. How's that possible?

Aisa Mijeno, an engineer and social worker, came up with an innovative way to light homes in poor rural villages without electricity - all the lamp needs is salt and water. Her invention won the Philippines the People's Choice Award at the Startup Nations Summit 2014 held in Seoul Korea. This lamp could be useful in coastal areas if electricity is lost after a natural disaster. What do you think?

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4 Aeta women go to India, back as solar engineers

"Train a grandmother, change the world" is the primary concept behind Barefoot College's free training program in India. Four Aeta grandmothers travelled almost 5,000 km to study there. They returned to their communities as solar engineers who can set up solar heating and thermal systems that reduce the cost of heat and light and are greener, healthier alternatives to fuels like oil and coal.