In the Philippines, women and girls face persistent barriers, including gender inequality, limited decision-making power, entrenched norms about women’s roles, and restricted access to comprehensive sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services. Harmful practices like child marriage, restrictive parental consent laws, and the criminalization of abortion exacerbate these challenges.

In response, the Sexual Health and Empowerment (SHE) Project was launched in 2018, a seven-year initiative co-funded by Global Affairs Canada (GAC) and Oxfam. Implemented with Oxfam Canada, Oxfam Pilipinas, and 11 national and local partners, including women’s rights organizations, the project aims to empower women and girls to secure their SRHR across six disadvantaged and conflict-affected regions.

To date, SHE has reached over 86,000 individuals, with 13,349 peer educators trained to promote SRHR and prevent GBV. These educators have, in turn, touched the lives of over 65,000 people in their communities. Moreover, 54 GBV-SRH Watch Groups have been established—women-led, community-based teams that act as frontline responders for survivors of GBV and champions of SRHR.

Beyond the numbers, SHE Rises: Stories of Change captures only some of the stories of change from the project. These are stories of women finding their strength, men becoming allies, youth leading change, and health providers embracing inclusive care under the project. It highlights communities challenging harmful norms and systems, demonstrating that meaningful change is possible. Let us listen to their stories, honor their experiences, and carry forward the lessons from this remarkable journey.