ABOUT IMA
Why IMA Exists
Every woman deserves to live with dignity, safety, and the freedom to shape her own future. We stand with women and communities facing violence, inequality, and vulnerability—creating spaces where they can find support, rebuild their lives, and become voices for change.
WHO WE ARE
A Foundation Built by Women, for Women
Ing Makababaying Aksyon (IMA) Foundation is a women’s rights and advocacy organization dedicated to creating a society where women are heard, supported, and empowered to shape their own futures. Founded in 1996, IMA grew from the efforts of women who came together in response to the exploitation, discrimination, and hardships faced by women in their communities.
For decades, IMA has worked alongside women and communities through advocacy, education, direct assistance, and support. We believe change begins when women have the space, resources, and support they need to reclaim their voices and make decisions about their own lives.
No woman should have to face her struggles alone.
WHERE IT BEGAN
It Started With Women Who Refused to Stay Silent.
In 1996, Ing Makababaying Aksyon was born from a simple but powerful belief: women should never have to face injustice alone.
IMA emerged during a difficult period in Pampanga, shaped by the devastation left by the Mount Pinatubo eruption and the social and economic challenges that followed the pull-out of the US military bases. Women faced exploitation, discrimination, limited access to health care, and economic hardship. In the middle of these challenges, ordinary women and professional women came together to respond.
What began as women helping women grew into a movement for rights, dignity, and social justice.
ESTABLISHED
1996
ANGELES CITY, PAMPANGA
WHAT WE STAND FOR
A Future Where Every Woman Can Live With Dignity
We believe lasting change begins when women are given the freedom, support, and opportunity to shape their own lives. IMA works toward a society where women can live safely, participate equally, and have the power to make decisions about their future.
DIGNITY
Every woman deserves to be treated with respect and to live free from violence, discrimination, and exploitation.
EMPOWERMENT
We create opportunities for women to build confidence, develop their abilities, and take an active role in shaping their own futures.
JUSTICE
We work to challenge the inequalities that limit women and communities and advocate for a society where everyone can live with equality and dignity.
OUR WORK
Turning Advocacy Into Action
IMA works alongside women and communities to turn the fight for equality into meaningful, lasting change. Our work brings together advocacy, support, education, and opportunities that help women move forward.
ADVOCACY
We amplify women’s voices and advocate for policies, systems, and communities that protect women’s rights and promote equality.
EMPOWERMENT
We support women with opportunities, knowledge, and resources that strengthen their confidence, independence, and ability to shape their own futures.
COMMUNITY
We work with communities to address the challenges women face and create spaces where people can come together, support one another, and build a better future.
Because real change doesn’t happen to women — it happens when women are given the power to make it happen.
OUR JOURNEY
From One Community to a Movement
For decades, IMA has continued to grow alongside the women and communities it serves. What began in Pampanga has become a continuing journey of advocacy, empowerment, and collective action — shaped by the people who believe that change is possible.
Every chapter of IMA’s story has been written with women and communities — not simply for them.
And the journey continues.
OUR PURPOSE
OUR VISION
IMA Foundation Inc. envisions a progressive, free society where sovereignty reigns, espousing environment-friendly policies and practices and guaranteeing each individual’s fundamental rights regardless of class, sex, gender, race, age, civil status, religion, political belief, or physical attributes.
OUR MISSION
IMA provides services that aims to empower, develop and advocate for self-reliance and strengthen the self-determination of women’s organizations, groups and individuals to address certain economic, political and socio-cultural structures that cause women’s vulnerability to exploitation, oppression and subordination.
OUR GOALS
To strengthen and increase the capability of IMA partners to consolidate themselves into pro-active women advocates in their respective areas in the region.
To develop the capability of partners in addressing various women’s issues particularly Violence Against Women (VAW) towards advancing the women’s movement.
To uplift the level of awareness and mobilize the public specifically women’s organizations on issues that affect and increase their vulnerability to exploitation, oppression and subordination.
To develop the capacity of IMA to become an efficient and effective primary women’s institution in Angeles City and in the region as well.
To actively work in partnership with local, national/international agencies and individuals for support, advocacy and other common concerns.
IMA TODAY
Continuing the Work, Shaping the Future
Today, Ing Makababaing Aksyon (IMA) Foundation continues to work alongside women and communities toward a society where women can exercise their rights, live with dignity, and have greater power to shape their own lives and communities.
Its work continues through community organizing, education and training, crisis intervention, and research, information, advocacy, and networking.