Women power

me with unconditional love and happiness, as well as all the women in relatives, friends, colleagues, and neighbors who have positively impacted my life and helped me become a better person.

On 8 March 2023, as we celebrate International Women’s

Day, I’d like to honor and acknowledge the Filipino women who have made significant strides for the betterment of their families, communities, and economy. I also want to recognize those who may not have achieved these accomplishments but tried nonetheless.

It’s important to acknowledge their efforts and encourage them to keep striving toward their goals.

The theme for this year’s Women’s Day celebration, “Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress,” is a call for all corporations and governments around the world to address gender inequalities, which is considered the greatest challenge to human rights. The Philippines is among the most gender-equal nations in Asia, ranking 16th out of 146 countries in the 2023 Global Gender Gap Index report by the World Economic Forum, achieving a 79.1 percent gender parity.

I take my hat off to all mothers who raised productive and wonderful human beings, the Philippine Commission on Women for promoting gender equality and women’s rights, and feminist changemakers and women’s groups like the KALIPI-Kalipunan ng Liping Pilipina Nasyonal Federation led by Ma. Socorro “Coycoy” Alfafara, or Mommy Coycoy to friends and acquaintances. She leads the KALIPI Federation which provides livelihood and skills training for business and employment. I admire this group, and I am confident that they are overseeing the implementation and compliance with Republic Act 9710, also known as the Magna Carta of Women, a comprehensive women’s human rights legislation aimed at eliminating discrimination.

Really, if you need something spoken, ask a man. If you need something done, ask a woman. Before chauvinists gang up on me, I did not say this. This quote is from Margaret Thatcher, the former British Prime Minister and known in history as the “Iron Lady.”

“With state-funded education and even postgraduate studies, Filipino women have better access to learning that empowers them to become better wives, mothers, daughters, sisters, relatives, friends, and workers, all in one.

(You may send comments and reactions to feedback032020@gmail.com or text 0931-1057135.)