The Man

The world has long echoed the voices of those who fought for equality, but the battle is far from over. We, a simple yet powerful word, holds the weight of a shared fight, a collective yearning for a society where gender does not dictate worth, opportunity, or freedom.

Growing up, I used to believe that a woman’s role was to serve her husband, to be soft-spoken, obedient, and content within the walls built by men. It was the story I was told, the script I thought I had to follow. But as I grew older, resentment brewed inside me, not just against men, but against the invisible rules that dictated what women should be.

I realized then: none of it was true.

I refuse to be confined by outdated expectations. No one can put a stop to me. I had long opened my eyes. And as the people for leni had said, back in the election for presidency, ang namulat na ay hindi na muling pipikit. Women are not born to serve, to be tamed, or to be second to anyone. We are born to lead, to dream, to take up space.

But the world isn’t kind to women who refuse to shrink themselves. "When everyone believes ya, what’s that like?"—Taylor Swift, The Man. A question that lingers, because no matter how much women achieve, society still questions our worth, our authority, our place at the table.

This year’s theme, WE for Gender Equality and an Inclusive Society, reminds us that the fight isn’t just ours to carry alone. Women’s struggles should not be women’s burden to bear alone; equality demands that everyone takes part in dismantling the systems that hold us back.

We are not just fighting anymore—we are winning. And the best part? We cannot be stopped.