Pushing back against social issues, promoting feminist care, and supporting self-love through Lunas Collective

She also mentioned how the Filipinos' Bayanihan spirit contributed to the origin of Lunas. With that glimmer of hope, she thought that it would be possible to bring people together for this call to action she strongly felt. "Would it be possible to teach someone so that they can tell other people about it? Is it something that people would need at that time? Would people need to talk to someone about experiences of harassment or violence? Would they decide to talk to someone about alternatives to contraceptives? At first, it was an experiment." But when volunteers came in and did learning sessions, Gacad and her team built the structure from there and made Lunas possible. Now it has been standing strong for almost three years.

Read also: Editor's picks: what are our favourite feminist films?

How does Lunas Collective work? Lunas is on Facebook, Instagram, and Tiktok. For education, research, and advocacy campaign partnership and collaboration, they can be reached under the same name at Gmail. And to become part of their collective action as a volunteer, you may sign up for learning sessions. On the technical side, they have long been penetrating social media platforms with more effort to market their advocacies, and maintain and find strategic partnerships.

One of their partners is the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) which started when the Safe Spaces Act (RA No. 11313) was being operationalised, and they have been sharing their methods respectively. CHR promotes a lot of the work that Lunas do, which they share they are very appreciative of, along with their other partners. At most times, Gacad with Lyka Lucena would speak on different places regarding gender-based violence, feminist care, and sexual and reproductive health to have a wider reach and to successfully expand on the awareness of these social issues. "Gender-based violence is not just a personal problem, but a social problem. Sexual and reproductive health is an entitlement. If one is interested, they can volunteer for us or to send us a message if they need help," states Gacad.

Lunas' communication director Landingin adds that they have agreements with IDEALS, a human rights-themed organisation with legal services and offers consultation.

Gacad also emphasises that most people perceive gender-based violence to be resolved once reported. But she clears up that the work is actually beyond that. She mentioned that Lunas is merely the solution. "We don't have the solution yet and can't keep them safe physically. [For example, when] we did user research, [what] many people want beyond what the government services can provide. They want dignity, love, and connection, to feel important and that they matter. They want their family to be complete. The goals are big, but we found from the process that when they want to achieve what they desire, no people are helping them."

"The usual option is to report and file a case, and it does very little to where you want to be, what you want to do, and how you want to feel. It is a social problem. But what is disheartening is that they look at it personally. It doesn't achieve the goals of the survivors." Thus, Lunas is committed to survivor-centred care. "It's okay if you don't want to report. It's okay if you still want to live with your abuser, hoping that he will change—but we want to be sure you want your definition of safety. We want you to know the options you can take if you want changes, whatever change it could be on your terms. So there's a lot of empowerment."

Also read: We ask women from different walks of life: what does empowerment mean for you?

"At the end of the day, we don't need a one-stop shop for gender-based violence care or reproductive health services. It has to be a community effort, and it starts with people recognising that life is important and women's lives are significant—every individual's life is. Around that principle, we built our services, which include education and legal services, as well as police and law enforcement services. Everyone has the power to help, especially with their willingness to do so. It's incredible how much can be done even if people contribute little," Gacad implies.

“Our approach in feminist care helped me understand. One of the most striking learning experiences for me was realising and reading more about how important it is to talk about women's pleasure if you want to end gender-based violence,” says Lyka Lucena. “In my experience working with survivors, it's not a common idea for women to think about their desires, that their pleasures are. And sadly, the community, the society, is like that as well. There's less significance on what a woman wants, what makes her happy, and what she seems comfortable with. That's one root of gender-based violence, the [stigma] that men only think about themselves. They feel really entitled without considering that there's another person, a woman, that is not okay with it.”

Lunas' director of services expounds as well that in cases of domestic abuse, there are a lot of women who tend to give everything to their families and forget about themselves just to follow through with society's standards and perceptions. “It shouldn't be like that,” she reminds.

Read more: The role of women in philanthropy: Mercedes Zobel, Irene Martel Francisco, and Susana Madrigal

When asked if the volunteer-powered online platform does cater to others aside from women, “We are inclusive, we are focused on women and the LGBTQIA+ community. But we accept anyone. Some men approach us and talk to us about sexuality concerns, love dilemmas, and relationship problems. We even get men who volunteer,” says Lyka Lucena and Gacad.

Apart from gender-based violence, reproductive health, and feminist care, Lunas focuses on gender sexuality and power. The way the helpline and the organisation function as a whole are to raise awareness, break the barriers brought up by society, and help people who feel disconnected from their true selves. That's how Lunas does the work, by linking it to previous and in-depth concerns. "We think that if people had this wisdom about gender sexuality and power, the perspective would have become more inclusive. If we don't stop at gender sexuality, then that is it. We remind people that every social exclusion is intersectional. Our goal is to help our volunteers and those in learning sessions to understand how they experience that. From there, we define security and pleasure and what your resources are to achieve those things," claims Gacad.

So what's next for Lunas this year and the next? For their third anniversary this 2023, they are aiming to finalise a sturdy internal structure and system, at the same time, they are looking into sustainability in their operations. In the future, their goal is to make their feminist care knowledge available to all service providers: care is the first response which is the missing piece in the puzzle that Lunas can fill. "Collective care, collective action," the core group declares.

As the exclusive event came to an end, Klar Lucena and Araos gave their encouragement to the women who needed to speak their pieces:

"Regardless if you're hesitating, just know we'll be here whenever you're ready. Our volunteers know what to do and how to do it; how to support those in need. And the solution will not be forced on you." Lucena assures that Lunas know how to respond, what to say, and that your voices will be understood. For her, it's not a matter of whether your story is of a big or small magnitude, it's yours to tell, and the invitation will be open at all times.

"Lunas is here for all genders and sexuality. Especially members of the LGBTQ+ community who have more barriers in terms of calling for help because they're more scared of getting judged on their orientation. Lunas Collective is a safe space," Araos concludes.

NOW READ

Founder and CEO of Agrea, Cherrie Atilano, shares her empowering story

Belo's "Women's Forum" tackles glass ceilings, gender fluidity, and more

What does it mean to be a woman today? Filipinas answer