The DSWP believes in the principle that there is strength in numbers. The organization involves itself in the setting-up, strengthening and maintaining of networks, coalitions and other structures for advocacy besides doing its own advocacy activities.
DSWP is actively involved in various women-focused, sectoral, multi-sectoral and/or political advocacy groups such as:
RHAN or Reproductive Health Advocacy Network (RHAN) It is a coalition of 40 NGOs and peoples’ organizations. It is also the country’s largest network working for reproductive health and rights. One of its main objectives is the passage of a national legislation on reproductive health.
MAGCAISA or Magna Carta for the Informal Sector Alliance is a broad based coalition of informal workers’ groups and supporting organisations working for the passage of Magna Carta for Workers in the Informal Employment (MACWIE) which aims to benefit 24.6 million who work in the informal economy (76% of the total labor force in the Philippines)
HOMENET Philippines is a broad coalition of 23 organizations comprised of home-workers’ groups and NGOs working with home-workers. The alliance was formally launched in May of 2006 which was also the event which approved the alliance basis of unity, vision, mission and goals, strategic directions and advocacy agenda.
Since its launching, the big part of the alliance work centered on consolidation of home-workers groups, awareness-raising on issues of HBWs, campaign for the ratification of ILO Convention 177 and lobbying for the passage of Magna Carta for Workers in the Informal Employment (MACWIE).
As early as 2005, SIW/DSWP and Aksyon Kababaihan were involved in the national organizing committee which established HOMENET and eventually became a member of its Steering Committee.
Alternative Budget Initiative (ABI) is a consortium of various civil society organizations (CSOs) organized by Social Watch Philippines (SWP) composed of four clusters, has been pushing for budget advocacy for the last four years.
The ABI is a people’s crusade for a participatory, transparent and accountable budget system. It creates a vigilant community composed of private and government who are (1) aware of the national budget process, (2) are able to monitor and analyze the implementation of the budget, and (3) are able to constructively engage in the budget process. They are equipped with alternative budget proposals which ensures that development trickle down to the grassroots level.
Through the ABI, a new era in the Philippine budget system is institutionalized – where pro active peoples participation in the national budget process puts the “power of the purse” in the hands of the people.
Network Opposed to Violence Against Women Migrants (NOVA) is a network of people’s organizations, NGOs, women’s organizations and other institutions opposed to violence against women migrants.
INTERNATIONAL LEVEL
Women’s Global Network for Reproductive Rights (WGNRR) is a southern-based global network that builds and strengthens movements for sexual and reproductive health, rights (SRHR) and justice. Its work is grounded in the realities of those who most lack economic, social and political power.
WGNRR works to realise the full sexual and reproductive health and rights of all people, with a particular focus on the most marginalised.
Association for Women’s Rights in Development (AWID) is an international, feminist, membership organization committed to achieving gender equality, sustainable development and women’s human rights. A dynamic network of women and men around the world, AWID members are researchers, academics, students, educators, activists, business people, policy-makers, development practitioners, funders, and more.
AWID’s mission is to strengthen the voice, impact and influence of women’s rights advocates, organizations and movements internationally to effectively advance the rights of women.
AWID believes that women’s rights are not only necessary in and of themselves, but that they are central to ending the challenges the world faces today. Eradicating poverty, building peace, effectively tackling the HIV and AIDS pandemics, to name just a few – no lasting solutions to these issues are possible without a strategy that puts women’s rights at the centre. AWID works to build a world where women’s rights have been achieved and where all people enjoy their human rights.