Articles by Iris Gonzales

So why has the government cut funding for contraception? asks Iris Gonzales. 

The APEC Summit hosts cleared the streets for their guests, but the poor can’t be made to disappear, writes Iris Gonzales.

Philippine Yeb Saño is going to great lengths to get the world to focus ahead of the Paris climate negotiations, as Iris Gonzales explains.

Iris Gonzales reports on a conference seeking to create a fairer economy for a region notorious for cheap labour and exploitation by the West.

Filipino expressions of faith are complex and diverse, writes Iris Gonzales.

Though no longer in the headlines, Nepal still needs help, writes Iris Gonzales.

Among cordoned-off temples and traumatized shopkeepers, Iris Gonzales finds Nepal’s spirit intact.

Iris Gonzales on how Mary Jane Veloso’s dreams of a new job turned into a death sentence.

The Everyday Philippines Instagram project reveals life in all its diversity, writes Iris Gonzales.

Iris Gonzales reports on a momentous victory for the Philippine Children’s Medical Centre.

Telling poor Filipinos to stop breeding like rabbits is both insulting and naïve, argues Iris Gonzales.

Iris Gonzales reports from Manila, the Philippines, where Pope Francis has started his five-day trip.

Iris Gonzales looks back on a difficult year for the Philippines.

Five years after a massacre in the Philippines, the country’s ‘culture of impunity’ prevails. Iris Gonzales reports.

The government has failed to provide adequately for those who lost everything, says Iris Gonzales.

A Philippines medical centre treating children for cancer is under threat from property developers. Iris Gonzales visits it.

A quarter of Filipinos remain poor. Iris Gonzales visits a programme providing food and hope.

Iris Gonzales meets an inspiring woman who refuses to be defined by her disability.

The power outages caused by Typhoon Rammasun highlight a precarious, and dirty, energy situation, says Iris Gonzales.

How access to energy is key to fighting global poverty. Iris Gonzales reports. 

Rather than criticizing others’ parenting styles, let’s just be the best we can be, says Iris Gonzales.

Iris Gonzales isn’t convinced by buoyant World Economic Forum predictions.

Iris Gonzales reflects on a very one-sided state visit by the US President.

Iris Gonzales talks to three journalists who witnessed the devastation caused by one of the Philippines’ worst typhoons.

The devastation caused by Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines brings back memories of a similar tragedy two years ago, writes Iris Gonzales.

Iris Gonzales talks to those affected by a lucrative and terrible trade.

While all eyes were on Kenya, another devastating attack was taking place in the Philippines. Iris Gonzales reports.

With ethnic violence displacing hundreds of thousands, a resolution can’t come too soon, says Iris Gonzales.

Democracy is within sight, Iris Gonzales is told, as she meets those who have reason to hope.

Stop blowing your own trumpet, and start tackling human rights abuses, says Iris Gonzales in the Philippines.

In the Philippines, Iris Gonzales attends a course to get hints on doing the best for her daughter.

Osaka mayor’s words anger women raped by Japanese soldiers during the Second World War, as Iris Gonzales explains.

Novelist Dan Brown’s description is sadly apt, says Iris Gonzales.

While rankings have improved, Iris Gonzales describes a culture of impunity which fails to get justice for murdered media workers.

In Qatar, Iris Gonzales is surrounded by fellow Filipinos forced to find jobs away from their families.

Housing shortages, forced evictions and homelessness – why is global shelter in such a state?

Following pressure from the Catholic Church, the Reproductive Health Law has been put on hold. This is a risky move, writes Iris Gonzales.

Iris Gonzales is saddened by what has been happening in India, a country close to her heart.

Despite criticism that the campaign doesn’t address the root causes of women’s inequality, Iris Gonzales says it’s a step in the right direction.

A new report states that human rights abuses are not being dealt with sufficiently. Iris Gonzales explains.

Iris Gonzales is heartened that her country has adopted the campaign against violence against women.

Photographer Jes Aznar has captured the pain of the Lumads, writes Iris Gonzales.

Informal dwellers are struggling to survive in Metro Manila, says Iris Gonzales.

It’s not just in the US that gun control laws are failing the people. Iris Gonzales reports from the Philippines on the tragic death of a seven-year-old.

While the powerful thrashed out decisions on what to do about climate change, the Philippines was drowning, writes Iris Gonzales.

Three years on from the politically motivated killing of 58 people in the Philippines, families are still waiting for justice says Iris Gonzales.

As the UN puts pressure on the Aquino government, Iris Gonzales considers the way forward.

Iris Gonzales on the Cybercrime Prevention Act and why critics say it is an affront to civil liberties.

Iris Gonzales on the signing of an historic peace pact between the government and Muslim rebels – and the challenges ahead.

The Philippines still bears the scars of military dictatorship, which was imposed 40 years ago this month, says Iris Gonzales.

Iris Gonzales reports on a looming threat to government support for breastfeeding in the Philippines.

The Church says the catastrophe is a punishment from God. Really? asks Iris Gonzales.

Iris Gonzales speaks to the inspiring Winnie Penaredondo about breaking free from an abusive marriage and coming to fight violence against women.

Shortly after modern-day slave masters are sent to prison in the UK, Iris Gonzales reminds us the practice is still alive in parts of Africa.

With education losing out to sensationalism, the current balance is all wrong, says Iris Gonzales.

Iris Gonzales attends a workshop in Germany to find out.

Iris Gonzales on an uncomfortable absence at this month’s Human Rights Council meeting.

We all have dreams of a better life, says Iris Gonzales. But can the Philippine government help to fulfil them?

Iris Gonzales interviews economics expert Jeffrey Sachs who says countries need to step up efforts to reduce their carbon footprints.

But how exactly will the Asian Development Bank meeting help the poor? asks Iris Gonzales.

Iris Gonzales has strong words for incoming bank boss Jim Yong Kim.

Iris Gonzales calls for justice and redress in a Philippines that seems not to care.

State-backed militaries continue to act with impunity, writes Iris Gonzales.

The world can be a distressing place. Iris Gonzales meets the organizers of a stress and trauma workshop and learns some techniques for survival.

Iris Gonzales offers a lament for the state of women’s rights and a hope for a better future.

Farmers have always been badly treated – by landlords as by presidents. But could things be about to change?

A year in to his presidency, Benigno Aquino III has failed to address human rights concerns, says Iris Gonzales.

Filipino children made homeless after December’s tropical storm need proper care, writes Iris Gonzales.

What do you do if your job is to write about a tragedy of which you are part? Iris Gonzales meets some of the journalists whose lives were turned upside down by tropical storm Sendong.

This year, 25 December was about survival, not celebration, for the people of northern Mindanao in the Philippines, says Iris Gonzales.

Where is Benigno Aquino’s empathy for his people? asks Iris Gonzales.

Student attempts to occupy Manila may have been thwarted – but the protests will continue, says Iris Gonzales.

The former Philippines president has been arrested, but it will take more than anti-corruption measures to save the country’s economy, says Iris Gonzales.

Two years after the Maguindanao massacre in the Philippines, the victims have not been forgotten, says Iris Gonzales.

A new vaccine could give hope to millions – if Big Pharma doesn’t get its hands on it first, says Iris Gonzales.

A report from the Philippines revealing the latest child abuse figures makes devastating reading, discovers Iris Gonzales.

A new blogging campaign wants to promote girls’ potential. Iris Gonzales, who has seen first hand how poverty and lack of access to education can stymie their chances, is all for this new initiative.

Iris Gonzales meets women at a Filipino prison and can’t help thinking they should not be locked up.

Iris Gonzales has a very personal reason for marking World Suicide Prevention Day on 9 September.

From Marcos to Arroyo, its leaders have pillaged and lied. But will this ‘Once Upon A Time’ have a happy ending? Iris Gonzales wishes she could wave her magic wand as she relates the sorry tale.

Poor pay, polluted air, dangerous conditions. It’s a familiar story for the country’s port workers, says Iris Gonzales.

An art installation by visual and performance artist Mideo Cruz has upset the establishment, but surely the Catholic Church is missing the point? Iris Gonzales reports.

The arrival of the rainy season brings chaos to the streets of Manila – and it’s not all the fault of the weather, says Iris Gonzales.

There’s more than enough cash in the domestic market, but it’s denied to those who need it most, writes Iris Gonzales.

Despite all the hardships, a school for indigenous children in the Philippines is a story of hope, courage and inspiration.

Public schools in the Philippines are a vivid portrait of the country’s economy, says Iris Gonzales. She visits one such school. 

After Malta voted in favour of divorce legalization, the Philippines is now the only country in the world which still bans divorce. Iris Gonzales says her country should be ashamed.

Millions of Filipinos are condemned to live overseas as illegal immigrants. It’s ironic that their own, inadequate government hails them as ‘heroes’, writes Iris Gonzales.

Sexual violence against female journalists is less an attack against press freedom than it is a purely evil crime against women, writes Iris Gonzales.

Decaying state hospitals and greedy private clinics make the death of loved ones harder to bear in the Philippines, says Iris Gonzales.

How many more political prisoners will have to be put in jail until the Philippine military is satisfied? 

Nobody wants to be angry with the world, with loved ones and even with oneself. But when we are frustrated over the world’s follies, we let the steam off elsewhere.

The killer highway of the Philippines: it’s corruption that kills.

What does the World Press Freedom Day mean for journalists in the Philippines?

Iris Gonzales reflects on the lessons she learnt on her recent trip to Portugal’s capital.

Iris Gonzales reflects on Portugal’s financial crisis - and other crises.

How do you heal after your loved one is killed for exposing the truth in a country with a supposed freedom of press? Two women share their stories.  

Iris Gonzales attended a workshop for journalists, in which media workers discussed reporting murder and forced disappearances in the Philippines.

A story of mining, environmental destruction, the death of a Filipino journalist and the fight that is still on. 

Condom prescription in a posh Philippine village. And as if that wasn’t enough…

The threat is serious, a Filipino scientist told the country’s media on Friday. His warnings contradict the government’s claims.

Will a $1,000 compensation check for victims of the former Filipino dictator Marcos help heal the wounds? 

Twenty five years ago, Filipinos got rid of Ferdinand Marcos, the dictator who had ruled the country for twenty years. But that was just the beginning of a long journey to freedom, equality and happiness.

After appeal from top Philippine authorities, China agreed to delay the scheduled execution of three Filipino migrant workers, who are on death row for drug trafficking. The case shed light on many more deeply rooted problems in the country.

The saga of flesh, blood, massive corruption and shopping trips with military money.

‘Photojournalism and video journalism are alive in the Philippines.’

What have babies just a few months old done to be attacked with tear gas by the state that is supposed to protect them? Their ‘sin’ is simple: they were born to poor parents.

There are only two countries in the world (excluding Vatican City) where divorce is not legally possible. Will a new bill succeed in freeing up unhappy couples?

They thought they had got away with it. But devoted Filipino photographers make sure that the country’s worst political massacre stays in the public eye – literally.

Public spaces in the Philippines are being reclaimed by photo activists – and they have a very serious message about the human rights violations all too common in the country.

That one night a year… Dreamed of, talked about, waited for. Looking back at it now that it’s over.

The story of a very long bus trip to a magic place in Laos. 

Progress on the case of 43 detained health workers, known as the Morong 43, brings hope to the human rights defenders in the Philippines. Can the government deliver?

The massacre that took place a year ago in the Philippines is remembered as the worst case of political violence in the country. But has justice been delivered? 

It is crazy. The whole country stops breathing when Manny Pacquiao enters the boxing ring.

Tomorrow, the rich world’s leaders will gather in Seoul, South Korea. But why are they afraid of a song?

For nine months already, forty three community health workers are being held in a military camp in the Philippines. Their crime? Suspicion only.

Many Filipino doctors and nurses have left the country in search for better jobs abroad, but those who stayed are fighting twin battles.  

It’s the hope that dies last. But are the guilty ones ready to admit their crimes and give their victims the very thing they had taken away – their freedom?

With typhoon Megi wreaking havoc, Filipinos wait with bated breath: what next?

For those who cannot start their morning without it - a coffee vignette from the Philippines.

It was supposed to be a great day for law students and their families. But the champagne bottles were never opened. Instead, a bomb brought horror and disbelief: why?

One brave woman is speaking out about her people’s suffering and why the world must sit up and take notice.

What can Imelda Marcos say about poverty alleviation?

They wept in disgust and they die a little each day that justice is delayed. But relatives of a mass killing in the southern part of the Philippines are not giving up.