PHILIPPINES

Demokrasya sa Barangay: Kababaihang Liberal’s New Approach to Strengthening Women’s Voices in Communities

In celebration of Women’s Month, the Friedrich Naumann Foundation (FNF) Philippines collaborated with Kababaihang Liberal (Liberal women) to launch the Demokrasya sa Barangay (Democracy in the Barangay) initiative. This program, aimed at empowering women in local communities, included a series of events such as a Training of Trainers, Kwentuhan sa Barangay (Conversations in the Barangay) sessions in 10 sites, a General Assembly, and consultations with women community leaders.

Led by Ms. Jet Riparip, Kababaihang Liberal (KL) developed modules for the Training of Trainers (TOT) event, which took place from March 14 to 15, 2025, at Casa Azul Femar Resort & Hotel in Antipolo City, Rizal. The training was designed to equip women leaders with the skills needed to facilitate community discussions and support the project’s goals.

The TOT program was funded by the FNF Up For Democracy Campaign, an initiative focused on defending freedom and human rights in the face of significant global challenges that put democracies at risk. The campaign works to raise awareness and advocate for the protection of democratic values worldwide, confronting the various threats that undermine political freedoms and human rights in different regions.

On the first day of the training, Dr. Almut Besold, Country Director of FNF Philippines opened the session by expressing gratitude to KL for organizing the timely event. She fondly recalled the time when the team pitched the project to her, noting how it aligned perfectly with the Foundation’s objectives of promoting women’s participation in political and social awareness activities.

The two-day workshop saw 20 women leaders ranging from young newcomers to seasoned community leaders participating in discussions and activities. These women deepened their understanding of the values and goals behind Kababaihang Liberal’s work, including their commitment to democracy and women’s empowerment.

One of the key highlights was the introduction of the Kwentuhan sa Barangay (KSB) initiative, which aims to focus on women’s issues while also engaging young people in meaningful conversations.

Mr. Charles Sicad. a youth leader from San Juan City, shared insights into the origin of the Kwentuhan sa Barangay concept, explaining how it evolved from their Istoryahan sa Barangay (Story sharing in the Barangay), a similar project catering to the youth in their area. The KSB session aimed for participants to understand the importance of fostering conversations around democracy, women’s rights, and youth participation in local governance

In addition to discussions, the women participated in workshops on effective facilitation, helping them to gain the skills needed to lead their own community dialogues. One session also addressed pressing women’s issues, such as the topic of divorce which provided a platform for open discussion.

The second day of training focused on solidifying key takeaways from the first day. Participants learned how to conduct their own Kwentuhan sa Barangay sessions for both women and youth, as well as how to manage the KL Project’s budget and reporting requirements. Workshops also focused on sustainability and long-term strategies for the project’s success. A key moment was the distribution of the KSB Kit, which included modules on democracy, responsible citizenship, and the rights of women and youth.

Looking ahead, Kababaihang Liberal plans to expand the Kwentuhan sa Barangay initiative to more areas, including Angono, Bulacan, Montalban, Caloocan, Iloilo, San Juan City, Cebu, Tondo, Cavite, and Hong Kong. The organization also aims to conduct consultations with women to better understand the issues they face and what needs to be addressed by future elected officials.