Empowering women starts at home

Vice President Leni Robredo reminded Filipino parents that empowering women should start at home as the country celebrates National Women’s Month this month.

In an interview at the launch of the Albay Provincial Library Gender and Development Section at the Albay Provincial Library and Information Center in Legazpi City, Robredo said how parents raise their children at home could contribute so much in breaking gender inequality and uplifting women’s status in the society.

“We’re celebrating Women’s Month but our society has lower regard for women,” Robredo said in Filipino. To address this, she noted the need to strengthen the campaign for women empowerment.

“I think, it is more important for parents who are raising their children to start this at home,” Robredo said when asked how to address gender inequality. “It has been said that Filipino men are spoiled… if that is the case, the Filipino women should be treated that way too,” she added.

Robredo also addressed some observations that President Rodrigo Duterte has been “ogling” during their recent encounters. “I don’t think that was the case,” she said, pertaining to a viral photo of them during the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) graduation rites in Baguio City on Sunday.

The VP said it is “unfair” for the President to be accused of ogling her and his gaze – during which the photo was taken – was just misinterpreted.

“I think that’s the problem when you have a male President and a female Vice President – everything is given a different meaning,” she ended. (Merlina Hernando-Malipot)