WOMAN AS A CITIZEN
Lighting Up the Country and Communities
Sen. Grace Poe began her moving speech by sharing some witty differences between men and women and quoting Eleonor Roosevelt, who said: “A woman is like a tea bag — you can’t tell how strong she is until you
put her in hot water.” She furthered that “education, access to capital, employment and equal opportunities in the workplace are crucial in empowering women and behind a successful woman is a tribe of other successful women.”
Completing the lineup of panelist were Hands on Manila Foundation founder and president Gianna Montinola, Quezon City Joy Belmonte-Alimurung and Manila City Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso, who talked about women’s significant contribution as they help the country’s economic, political and social affairs.
To watch the panel discussion, scan the QR code with your smart phones to take you to The Philippine STAR’s Youtube account, PhilStar TV.
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The Philippine Constitution makes no distinction between men and women. It says everyone shall enjoy equal protection under the laws. But when the Constitution was drafted in 1986, the commissioners took into consideration the reality that women were a marginalized sector and did not enjoy the same opportunities as men. Hence, a section was included which imposed on the state the duty to value the ‘role of women in nation-building, and ensure the fundamental equality before the law of women and men.’
“But women’s roles in nation-building still appear restrictive. Being a woman in a leadership position has always been a challenge. When a man is tough and is a no-nonsense boss, they call him a leader. But when a woman is tough, they call us a? Unfair, right? Only one female has ever served in a leadership position within the Senate, namely, Loren Legarda as the majority leader. But no woman has ever assumed the rank of Senate President. — SEN. ” GRACE POE