Yesterday, March 8, 2013, was International Women's Day.  Feminists and sympathizers from Cebu City, Philippines held a rally  yesterday in order to call for further laws that will effectively  curtail domestic violence against women as well as the illegal  trafficking of women. Men and women who believe that there should be  gender equality all over the world marched together to celebrate  International Women's Day. They also called the government's attention  about the increasing domestic violence against women and the seemingly  unabated trafficking of impoverished women to modern-day slavery. The  said rallyists noted that women from rural areas in the Philippines are  prone to domestic violence. Also, the rallyists noted that many poor  women from both rural and urban areas are prone to becoming modern-day  slaves. Hence, the rallyists appealed for more effective laws that will  curtail domestic violence against women and save the impoverished women  from being smuggled to become modern-day slaves. It's interesting to  note that many male activists joined the said women's rally. Though the  rally was basically about celebrating several victories of the feminist  movement in the Philippines, it was also a march that called for  effective laws that will curtail domestic violence against women and the  trafficking or smuggling of women.

Picture # 1- The first picture shows women carrying the  letters 'B-A-B-A-E'. If you put the letters together it would spell  BABAE. BABAE is the Filipino word for WOMAN.

Picture # 2- The 2nd picture shows some men joining the  march for International Women's Day. Such men are activists who support  women's aspirations like women empowerment, effective laws against  domestic violence, women's access to reproductive health-care, etc.

Picture # 3- The 3rd photo shows feminists carrying banners  that expressed support to gender equality and the curtailment of  violence against women.

Picture # 4- The photo shows women from the 'urban poor sector' joining the rally for women's rights.

Picture # 5- The picture shows men and women who joined the  rally celebrating International Women's Day as sincerely praying for  further laws that will protect women from domestic violence, sexual  abuse and trafficking.

Picture # 6- It shows a woman speaking to the crowd about  the importance of commemorating International Women's Day and how women  and children should be protected from domestic violence and human  trafficking.

Picture # 7- The picture shows women from Cebu City, Philippines marching in celebration of International Women's Day.

Picture # 8- The photo shows women from Cebu City marching  for International Women's Day and calling for more effective laws that  will stop domestic violence against women and the smuggling of women to  become modern-day slaves.

Picture # 9- The picture shows women and men marching together for gender equality.

Picture # 10- The photo shows men and women participating  in a feminist rally calling for effective laws that will curtail  violence against women.