Marcos hails women’s resiliency, laments gender inequality
PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Friday hailed the resilience of women that helped shape the country’s development and, at the same time, highlighted the need to address lingering gender disparities.
“In an age marked by rapid growth and transformation, it is imperative for the global community to honor the incalculable worth of women’s contributions across all facets of society and sustain the gains that have emerged from their countless struggles and sacrifices,” Marcos said in his message on International Women’s Day.
“Yet, within our relentless pursuit of progress, we must confront the inequalities and disparities that still persist. By ending gender-based violence, discrimination, and biases that cast shadows over the realization of women’s dreams, we actively engage in a mission that nurtures equity, inclusion, and empowerment,” he said.
The President urged Filipinos to help create a more inclusive society.
“Through our collective efforts, have faith that we will bring about a kind of change that stands the test of time, resonates across borders, and reverberates in the core of our societies,” he said.
International Women’s Day, celebrated on March 8, commemorates the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women.
This year’s theme is “Inspire Inclusion.” In her own message, Vice President Sara Duterte called for more opportunities for women, while condemning the atrocities of the New People’s Army against women.
“For us, women should be given the space, the opportunity and the freedom to decide and show their skills,” Duterte said.
She said violence against women is among the reasons why they die and live in poverty.
Duterte named government physician Sharmaine Baroquillo and lawyer-turned-NPA combatant Hannah Jay Cesista, who was killed after a clash in Bohol, who she described as “the one who fought a rotten ideology of terrorism and plans to overthrow a government.”
“There are also the mothers of youths who were armed and became victims of deception by the NPA who, until now, are still missing or have not gone home. Let us also not forget the mothers, wives, and sisters of police officers and soldiers who died to ensure our own and the country’s safety,” she said.
On Friday, the Gabriela Women’s Party joined other militant women groups in a march to Mendiola, Manila, to protest charter change.
“We are one with the wider groups of women who are against the proposal to change the current Constitution to introduce our economy to foreigners,” House Assistant Minority Leader and Gabriela Women’s Party Rep. Arlene Brosas said. Brosas called for higher wages, the revitalization of the country’s agriculture industry and increased access of the poor to the country’s education system instead of pushing for charter change.
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), meanwhile, called for gender equality and more investments for women.
UNFPA Philippines country representative Dr. Leila Joudane said the agency is alarmed by the rising number of cases of genderbased violence and harmful practices against women and girls.
Citing data from the 2022 National Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) conducted by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), Joudane said that 18 percent of Filipino women who had a husband or an intimate partner reported having experienced physical, sexual or emotional violence by their partner.
Two out of every five victims did not seek help.
The same report showed that 286,000 or 5.6 percent of Filipino girls ages 15 to 19 are currently married or in union.