Leticia Ramos Shahani

The life and times of Leticia Ramos Shahani

by Luz Maria Martinez

Leticia Ramos Shahani with Congressman Belmonte (L) and elder brother, former President Fidel Ramos.

Dr. Leticia Ramos Shahani, whose life can hardly be categorized into one area of work, was honored on June 9, 2015 by the House of Representatives and the Committee on Women and Gender Equality of the Philippines for her valuable contributions in shaping the women's global agenda and pioneering initiatives for the empowerment of women through a national resolution.

For those of who may not know who she is, she is no less than the first co-author of the UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW). The first working draft was known as the Philippine-Soviet Draft, and she is among the top-ranking women of the UN. Shahani, served as Chair of the UN Commission on The Status of Women; Secretary General of both the Third UN World Conference on Women and Seventh Congress on Crime Prevention and Treatment of Offenders. She served as UN Assistant Secretary General for Social Development and Humanitarian Affairs.

BnIFacade Isis International Women’s House (Bahay ni Isis).

Bahay ni Isis provides a safe haven for guests visiting Manila, with lodgings, meeting rooms and facilities for workshops and other events. It is a comfortable women-friendly space and a gathering place for many non-governmental organisations engaged in issues affecting women around the globe. Welcome!

The Isis Feminist Activist School aims to strengthen the communication capacity of women from the Global South so that they can effectively articulate and take on leadership roles in organisations, communities, networks and/or social movements.

we!, the Isis International e-newsletter, provides news and information on women’s activism, campaigns and events around the globe as well as analyses and commentary on current issues affecting women.

WiA carries in-depth articles on issues facing women globally from a feminist perspective. This social movement publication links women’s issues to larger social issues and features women writers from around the world.

Research Report, Women and Peacebuilding, Philippines

Recognising Women’s Participation in Sustainable and Lasting Peace. Isis International realised it is essential to initially find out to what extent or if any at all do peace advocates include or consider women and gender in their peace work with from ICCO foundation, Isis carried out a study on women peacemakers in the Philippines.

Click here to see some of these historical treasures.

Relive the historical milestones of the women’s movement with this Isis collection of posters.