Women can change the world through our dreams and aspirations, not just for today but for generations to come. Every woman carries a special tale of struggle, perseverance, and triumph—an honor to the struggles they have faced and the successes they have earned. But amidst all the struggles and individual journeys, there is this one goal in common: the hope for a future that is safer, fairer, and filled with opportunity.
If you had the chance to rewrite history, what would you fight for? What injustices would you insist on changing?
What does a dream women's community entail? This seemingly simple yet deeply compelling question swings open the doors to myriad points of view, filtered through experience, inner struggles, and underlying dreams. It is a question that pushes against boundaries, stimulates debate, and refuses to limit a vision of women being free to be themselves—unencumbered and uninhibited.
Seventeen different women from various cities, backgrounds, and lives, responded to this question. Their voices, unique yet linked, create a picture of the community that women hope to see—one based on equality, respect, safety, and limitless opportunities.
A World Free from Gender Expectations
For Aifer Jacutin, Angelica Pamil, and Charlene Palaña, the dream is a society where gender doesn’t limit opportunities. Aifer envisions a merit-based community where everyone can grow without fear of judgment, stating, “Kung lahat ay may pantay na karapatan, lahat ay mabibigyan ng pagkakataong umunlad—kung saan walang mapag-iiwanan.”
Similarly, Angelica challenges the social pressures placed on women, particularly the expectations surrounding relationships. Frustrated with these societal norms, she wishes for a world where women are not burdened with such constraints: “Ilang taon ka na? Bakit 'di ka pa nagkaka-boyfriend?”
While Angelica pushes back against gendered expectations, Charlene takes the vision a step further, imagining a society where women's voices are not only heard but supported with concrete policies. She finds comfort by women’s voices being heard and envisions a society where female leaders are embraced. She advocates for free sanitary products, accessible reproductive health services, and the Anti-Teenage Pregnancy Bill: “Naglalayon itong bumaba ang bilang ng mga kabataang nabubuntis sa maagang edad at bigyan sila ng tamang gabay.”
Grezyl dreams of an equal community where people prioritize the greater good: “It may seem impossible, but it is possible if selfish motives are set aside.”
Together, they call for a world based on fairness, equality, and empowerment—where women’s voices are valued, and society actively supports the well-being of all. But beyond the fight for equality, many women also dream of something just as fundamental: the right to feel safe in their own communities.
A World of Safety and Security
Many women dream of a world where they can feel safe at all times, whether at home, in public, or while pursuing their ambitions. Rhea Alcantara, 42, from Valenzuela City, imagines a community where safety is guaranteed, and every street is welcoming. “Ang pangarap kong komunidad ay yung ligtas sa anumang oras man na lumabas ka ng iyong tahanan. May makakasalamuha kang mabubuting tao at di kailanman mangangamba hindi lang para sa kaligtasan mo kundi pati na din ng mga mahal mo sa buhay,” she says, emphasizing that true peace is not just the absence of danger but the presence of trust.
For Stephanie, safety also means being free from the constant scrutiny of how women present themselves in public. Stephanie Diasanta, 19, from Rizal, envisions a world where women can walk freely without fearing judgment based on their appearance. “My dream community is where I can confidently walk anytime around the streets without having to worry whether my clothes are modest enough; I can be friends with everyone platonically; be treated with equality in order to break down established norms and create the path I wish to take,” she says, emphasizing the need to dismantle societal norms that restrict women’s choices and freedom.
For 15-year-old Altheya Dawal, safety is not a luxury but a necessity. Growing up in a community where rape cases are common, she dreams of a place where security is a right, not a privilege. “As a woman, my dream community is a place that is safe to live because these past few months there were a lot of rape cases happened in my community. Therefore, I, along with my family, want to live in a safe place for us to be secured,” she shares, highlighting the urgent need for safety.
But safety is just one part of the bigger picture. Many women also dream of a world where basic needs are never a struggle.
A World with Access to Basic Needs and Equal Opportunities
True equality also includes access to basic necessities like hygiene products and equal opportunities. Samantha Diasanta, 19, from Pasig, dreams of a world where women no longer struggle to afford basic hygiene products. “Women have to endure lots of things, physically, mentally, and even financially, even more so when buying things such as sanitary pads or tampons. This can be a real struggle for several women, especially in the marginalized sectors who are being deprived of their basic necessity which is access to proper hygiene, hence, being provided with things that we actually need would be a dream for women like me,” she reflects.
Alongside these necessities, women continue to challenge the outdated norms in education and career paths, particularly in fields traditionally dominated by men.
A World Free from Gender Stereotypes in “Male-Dominated” Fields
Women continue to fight against gender biases in traditionally male-dominated fields. Sophia Bordomeo, 18, a first-year BA Journalism student, recalls being dismissed for her skills in chess. After defeating a male opponent, a bystander’s comment, “Natalo ka ng babae, par,” made her realize how deeply gender biases were ingrained. “Considering they knew I was more experienced, that moment felt like my skills were disregarded,” she states. Sophia dreams of a community where women are not judged based on outdated expectations: “Women are often encouraged to step out of societal norms, but in my dream community, it’s the people themselves who must step out of the very norms they created for women.”
Juliana shares a similar experience of being underestimated, this time in the male-dominated field of ICT. Juliana Astibe, who dreams of a world free from discrimination and harassment, recalls feeling out of place in her ICT program, where she was one of only seven girls in a class of 46. “As a woman, my dream community is one that does not discriminate, treats everyone right, and is free from any harassment,” she expresses, emphasizing that real change requires everyone to challenge patriarchal structures.
Ryzza San Jose dreams of a community where everyone, especially women, can be their true selves and pursue their goals without fear. She remembers being mocked when she enrolled in PUP’s engineering program: “They asked me again, 'Buti nakapasa ka sa PUP, Engineering pa talaga, 'di ba lalaki lang mga nandiyan? Bakit nandiyan ka? hindi mo kaya 'yan, baka tomboy ka ha'” Ryzza believes in a world where success is determined by passion, not gender.
But breaking barriers in male-dominated spaces is only part of the vision. A truly empowered world is one where all women, regardless of identity or background, are embraced and uplifted.
A World with Inclusivity and Empowerment
A true community embraces and uplifts everyone, regardless of identity or background. Jasmine Bautista, 20, a BA English Language Studies student, dreams of a world where all women—cisgender, transgender, and non-binary—are empowered to live authentically without fear. She envisions a community where inclusivity is celebrated, voices are heard, and safety is prioritized.
"My dream community is one where inclusivity for all women is embraced and celebrated," she says. For Jasmine, International Women’s Month should recognize womanhood in all its forms, including single fathers, embodying the resilience of motherhood. “Inclusivity is essential, especially given the struggles faced by both cisgender and transgender women.”
Beyond gender identity, inclusivity also means embracing love in all its forms, something Asunta Estropia, a 2nd-year Entrepreneurship student, longs to see in her community. She dreams of a world where women are free to love without fear—where relationships between women are normalized. "I want to live in a community that normalizes women having a relationship with a fellow woman," she voices, underscoring that women are powerful on their own, with no need for validation from men.
Angelove Salvatierra sees a world where respect is freely given to everyone, regardless of identity. "My dream community is a safe space where everyone is respected without needing to ask for it," she articulates. She also dreams of a society where no one is shamed for how they dress, express themselves, or love. "Hindi lang ako babae, tao rin ako... I am no one but my own."
With inclusivity at its core, the dream of a future built on true equality becomes not just possible, but necessary.
A World with A Future Built on Equality
Respect is at the heart of every dream shared, and for Michelle, that also means breaking free from the constant scrutiny placed on women’s actions. Michelle Canseco envisions a world where women are not judged or scrutinized for their every word and action. “Sa kalagayan ng society ngayon, mapapansin natin na patuloy pa ring nakakaranas ng struggles ang mga kababaihan... Patuloy na hinahantay ng mga tao na makahanap ng pagkakamali,” she says, longing for a place where women stand together to empower each other. Michelle believes a supportive community is possible, especially in the digital age, where women can create a true home—a space that embodies womanhood.
Ariane Galpao dreams of a world where women don’t have to shrink to fit spaces not designed for them. “My dream community is a place where women don’t have to shrink themselves,” she affirms. In her ideal community, strength and vulnerability are celebrated, and women’s voices are sought out in decision-making. “Here, we are not defined by what the world expects of us but by the limitless potential we carry within.”
For 16-year-old Angelica Salvatierra, equality is at the heart of her dream community. She aspires for a world where everyone is treated with respect, and women can walk freely without fear of harm. “I want a community where I can wear the clothing I desire without second-guessing,” she remarks. Angelica longs for a place where self-expression is met with understanding, and women’s voices are valued and heard.
The words of these women say one thing loud and clear: the society they envision is not out of reach. It is a society that must be built—one where respect, safety, and possibility are not mere hopes, but realities for everyone.
When these voices come together, they create a vision of a kinder, safer, and more equal world—a world not based on limitations but on possibilities. These women don't just dream; they demand, they hope, and they struggle for the community they deserve.
Their voices remind us of the same truth: change is not only a dream, but a necessity. Their aspirations for safety, dignity, and possibility are not high ideals but human rights that need no longer be debated. A world that hears women, appreciates them, and provides them with room to flourish is not utopian, it is overdue. The struggle for this society does not only belong to women; it belongs to all. Because when women succeed, society succeeds with them.
Article by: Jeserie Joy Ilao
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