GABRIELA is an acronym standing for General Assembly Binding women for Reform, Integrity, Equality, Leadership, and Action.? It also commemorates Gabriela Silang, known as one of the first and fiercest women generals in the Philippines who led the longest?series of successful revolts against?18th Century Spanish colonizers. The organization was formed in 1989 by a group of concerned women who met in Chicago.? At that time, the people of the Philippines were protesting the continued presence of US military bases in Clark (Air Force) and Subic Bay (Navy).? GABNet decided to work in solidarity with GABRIELA Philippines--that?country?s oldest and largest national multi-sectoral alliance of more than 200 women?s organizations, which were at the forefront of the US bases issues--in order to?galvanize a US forum for their concerns.? ? Since our inception we have focused our efforts on organizing,?educating, networking, and advocating around the trafficking of Filipinas through the ?mail order bride? industry (now known as international matchmaking services), prostitution generated by militarization and tourism, and forced labor migration .
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