It came to the point where I felt like I lost myself already, and how I view the world changed. From ‘Wow, I’m so excited this is life’ to ‘this is life,’” Melissa Rina Profeta, one of the co-founders of Sagip Babae Foundation, remembers the impact of the abuse she experienced when she was younger and how it became the inspiration of a foundation she has recently co-founded.
“Mindset is everything, if you believe you can’t do something, you cannot overcome something, they are going to stand there [and] that’s how big it is, and that’s the whole thought of Sagip Babae.”
This non-government organization (NGO) aims to provide a safe space for women survivors of domestic violence, abuses, and sexual harassment by providing mental healthcare.
The traumatic effects of abuse from the experiences of Sagip Babae founders Francesca Fugen’s and Profeta’s made them start the organization. Citing their personal trauma when they were younger, as well as those women who shared their experiences became the backbone of Sagip Babae.
Profeta adds, “This is not just a foundation or a safe space but this is an actual movement. We are talking about mindset and the spirit of women who will eventually change the world for the future.”
“Sagip Babae is an organization where we empower women who are devastated by the circumstances of life. We aim to be a safe space for women. We want the time to come when the victims will come to us for relief and for comfort.” Fugen shared.
“We are here to make women realize their true value and get back on their feet,” she emphasizes.
On 29 July, the foundation was launchd at Bondi & Bourke in Makati. Sagip Babae Foundation focuses on the mental health of the victims and their main mission is to provide access and resources through their Facebook community with webinars and bi-monthly group sessions, and offer self-care strategies for their journey towards healing and recovery.
To strengthen this mission, the NGO partnered with experts such as Mr. AJ Sunglao, a licensed psychologist and mental health advocate, and Ms. Charlene R. Lucas, a registered psychologist and international clinical traumatologist.
As the victims experienced both short- and long-term effects in their lives, Sagip Babae Foundation also included a more extensive approach by consulting with Third Eye Wellness to provide holistic healing services together with Jenny Umali, a life coach and Reiki practitioner.
The foundation will shoulder the full expenses of the victims for the first month of the therapy and medication, and half the cost in the second and third months.
As mental health is one of the areas that needs to expand in the Philippines, the foundation aims to include minors in the future. However, right now, papers for technicalities and legalities for them are beyond their reach. As much as they would love to give inclusivity to all, Sagip Babae caters to 18 year-olds and above.
“Kailangan natin tanggalin ung stigma na kapag humingi tayo ng tulong ibig sabihin may mali sa atin. Hindi po ‘yon, We are asking for help because we want to be better,” Joyce Pring, a TV presenter and podcaster, one of the speakers of the launch stated.
With the overall socioeconomic effects of the pandemic which rendered situations that render women more vulnerable to abuse, Sagip Babae Foundation came at the right time. Based from the study by the Commission of Population and Development (POPCOM), 25 percent of surveyed Filipino adults’ issues considered that violence against women is a critical issue during the pandemic.
The foundation calls for monetary donations, awareness, and volunteering to sustain Sagip Babae.
To reach out visit their official website https://sagipbabaefoundation.com/.