DUTERTE CITES WOMEN’S ROLE IN NATION’S PROGRESS

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte urged Filipinos to recognize the role of women in bringing progress to the country as the Philippines marked National Women’s Day on Monday.

In his message on Monday, Duterte said while there is still much to be done to bring about full gender equality, the government can proudly say that it has created “an environment where women’s rights are respected and their contributions to society are recognized.”

“I therefore encourage every Filipino to join us in celebrating the indispensable role of women in our nation’s progress by participating in this month-long celebration and supporting advocacies that seek to fight for and acknowledge the inalienable rights of women as equal partners of men,” the President said.

He also urged Filipinos to empower women “to break not only the barriers that have long hindered them from reaching their full potential, but also the backward mindset that fueled a culture of gender oppression and inequality.”

Duterte has repeatedly faced criticisms for his jokes about rape and offensive remarks against women.

Last January, he was criticized for saying that the presidency is not a job for women because they are emotionally different from men.

He made the statement after dismissing speculations that his daughter Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio will run for president in 2022.

In his press briefing on Monday, Palace spokesman Harry Roque Jr. said the President’s support for women was evident when he passed such legislation as the Republic Acts 11210 (“Expanded Maternity Leave Act”) and 1148 (“Kalusugan at Nutrisyon ng Mag-Nanay Act”).

Citing the World Economic Forum Global Gender Gap Report, Roque also said it was only during the Duterte administration that the Philippines became the Most Gender Equal Nation in Asia.

The Philippines remains the top country in Asia in terms of closing the gender gap, according to the World Economic Forum (WEF).

The WEF ranks the Philippines 16th out of 153 countries in terms of closing the gender gap.