Abstract:
This study focuses on the experiences of Lumad women in militarized communities
under the Duterte administration. While militarization of their communities has long existed
prior to 2016, it has evidently worsened in the strongman’s term. There is established literature
on Lumad education, land, and children when affected by land-grabbing and militarization, but
this study sheds light on Lumad women’s plight given their intersectional identities. Following
Grounded theory and Feminist Standpoint methodology, this study employed in-depth interviews
to explore Lumad women’s experiences of violence under militarization, how they
responded/resisted, and how people and policies can support their emancipation. Data was
analyzed through open, axial, and selective coding until the core category was selected and a
theoretical model was built. The emerging theory states that Lumad women are the forefront in
mobilizing resistance and defending land, life, and their communities, all the while confronting
the different forms of violence they experienced during the Duterte administration. They have a
strong desire to change their conditions so they exhaust various means to clamor, seeking the
help of allies, churches, concerned groups, government and non-governmental bodies. We echo
the recommendation of Lumad women participants to policymakers: to abolish policies that
legitimize human rights violations against indigenous people, women, and their communities.
This study also recommends that Filipinos from other sectors listen to the stories of the Lumad.
To future studies, we suggest more in-depth interviews and possibly focus-group discussions as
well.
