Advancing women's rights in Mindanao since 1982.
WSRC is one of the Philippines' foremost feminist institutions — advancing gender equality through research, education, advocacy, and direct community service for over four decades.
A feminist institution rooted in Mindanao.
Founded in 1982 when a collective of women researchers came together to document the invisible struggles of Mindanao women under the Marcos dictatorship, WSRC has operated continuously for over four decades — serving Lumad (indigenous), Moro (Muslim), and Settler communities, as well as urban poor women, women workers, and survivors of violence.
Formally registered on July 23, 1983 (SEC No. CN 200730875), WSRC is a non-stock, non-profit NGO headquartered in Davao City — the first Philippine city to enact a Women's Development Code, a landmark ordinance WSRC helped draft and most recently reviewed in 2019–2020.
Learn Our Story
Four integrated program areas.
Each program area is grounded in feminist principles, participatory methods, and the concrete realities of Mindanao women.
Research & Documentation
Feminist participatory action research surfacing women's lived experiences in labor rights, health, human rights, and gender-based violence across Mindanao.
Education & Training
Gender sensitivity, VAWC orientation, paralegal training, GAD, digital skills, and grassroots capacity-building for workers, communities, and students.
Advocacy & Campaigns
Local, national, and international campaigns for women's rights, anti-VAWC, labor rights, reproductive health, and indigenous peoples' rights.
Direct Services
Psychosocial support, medical missions, paralegal consultation, and emergency monitoring — direct care for women and communities in need.
Making women's invisibility and marginalization a thing of the past.
WSRC's work is grounded in a feminist, rights-based, participatory, and intersectional approach — recognizing the layered realities of Lumad, Moro, and settler women across Mindanao. We believe that research, education, and collective action together create lasting change.
Our Vision & MissionRecent projects & partnerships.
A 40-year track record implementing projects funded by APWLD, EU, Global Affairs Canada, UNDP, PBSP, and JASS.
NKMS Women Leaders Capacity Building
Trained 21 NKMS women officers and reached 300 women workers across Davao de Oro — building 10+ alliance organizations for indigenous women workers.
View Project
Environmental Justice & Campaign Education
Supported SABOKAHAN Lumad women — 75% increase in organizational activity and 200% income increase through campaign training.
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Climate Justice & Women's Political Participation
Partnership with JASS Southeast Asia and UNDP to strengthen women civil society organizations and environmental human rights defenders in Mindanao.
View ProjectTrusted by leading organizations.
WSRC works through coalitions at local, national, regional, and international levels — amplifying feminist advocacy across Mindanao and beyond.
APWLD
Asia Pacific Forum on Women, Law & Development
European Union
via Nonoy Librado Development Foundation
JASS SEA
Just Associates Southeast Asia
Global Affairs Canada
via Philippine Business for Social Progress
UNDP
United Nations Development Programme
Klima Centre
Manila Observatory – KLIMA Climate Centre
Panalipdan
Panalipdan Mindanao Network
Davao City Gov.
Davao City Development Council
Vision & Mission.
Vision: A progressive, egalitarian, gender-fair, and sovereign society free from discrimination and exploitation — where women actively and meaningfully participate in all political, social, and economic endeavors toward peaceful and sustainable development.
Mission: WSRC promotes women's empowerment and gender equality through education, research, capacity-building, and collective action — deconstructing patriarchal beliefs, building alliances, and providing tools for financial independence and community leadership.
About WSRC
Partner with feminist work in Mindanao.
WSRC has a 40-year track record of feminist research, community education, grassroots advocacy, and direct services. We welcome proposals, partnerships, funding inquiries, and institutional collaboration from organizations that share our commitment to women's rights and gender justice.