Frequently Asked Questions

In September 2019, the US-based National Organization of Asians and Pacific Islanders Ending Sexual Violence (NAPIESV) and its Philippines’ Bersama-sama Project Team initiated a research project about the women and girls involved in the sex trade in the Philippines, in particular Angeles City, since the city is historically and still is widely known as the center of sex industry / tourism in the country. Incidentally, this was also the time when the community lockdowns due to the COVID-19 pandemic started and thousands of individuals lost their jobs, especially those whose main source of income is connected to sex tourism or the “entertainment” industry. 

Through this research, NAPIESV learned / confirmed the following: 

• Poverty and desperation is the main reason why women and girls find themselves engaging in the trade;
• Most of them have experienced trauma and sexual violence prior to and during their engagement with the trade;
• Especially for young girls, teenage moms, and solo breadwinners, their poor living conditions and situation, environment, close proximity and easy access to sex establishments and customers (local and foreign) makes it so that engaging in the sex trade appear to be an “easy” option to escape poverty and desperation;
• With access to better education and employment / income opportunities, most of them would choose to exit and not engage in sex work.

With such findings, NAPIESV and its Bersama-sama Philippine Team went on to set up Alaya Women’s Center to offer pathways for exit and help respond to the needs of this community.

Alaya Women’s Center is not a membership organization. What we have are partners and networks of individuals who would like to avail of our programs and services which includes, among others, support for organizing of community-based feminist organizations within Angeles City and neighboring towns and cities.

NAPIESV is the primary source of funding for the programs and services provided by Alaya Women’s Center but we continue to search for different funding sources and opportunities to help us sustain the center. 

At present, the physical center or office in Barangay Amsic, Angeles City serves as a space where women and girls (the communities that we serve) participate in the various programs / projects and scheduled events and activities that we regularly hold: 

• Sulagpo Learning Program for crafts, skills, and women and girls’ rights and welfare education. 
• Community Healing Garden
• Special Project: Mobile Community Pantry for female-headed household and Community Kitchen for Kids 
• Learning Center for Alternative Learning System (ALS) for Advanced Elementary and Secondary Levels of learners
• Support for organizing of community-based feminist / female-led grassroots organizations. 
• Partnership and networking with local, national and international organizations advocating against sexual and gender-based violence and for women’s rights and welfare and gender equality.
• Podcast production.
• Research and advocacy

At present, our center does not have the resources to provide funding for projects not within the scope of our current programs and services. We are however always open to discuss your feminist and women-led projects and initiatives and assist you in finding donors or funding opportunities.

Yes! We are always open to building new partnerships with other individuals and women-led organizations and institutions advocating for the rights and welfare of women and girls, gender justice and equality. 

We’d love to have you onboard! Send us your details, days and times you are available, specific skills / knowledge you may have that you want to share with our community at this email address: volunteer@alayawomen.org