The Philippines is observing a month-long celebration of women in March, focused on advancing gender equality, leadership and social protection, according to the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW).
A Month of Action
PCW Chairperson Ermelita Valdeavilla stated that the observance extends beyond International Women’s Day on March 8th, aiming for sustained action to empower women across all sectors. The initiative is rooted in a series of proclamations dating back to 1988.
Proclamation 227, series of 1988, designated March as “Women’s Role in History Month.” Later, Proclamation 759, series of 1996, established the Fourth Week of March as “Protection and Gender-Fair Treatment of the Girl Child Week,” and Proclamation 744, series of 2004, designated the last Monday of March as Women with Disabilities Day in the Philippines.
Recent Progress and Remaining Challenges
Valdeavilla emphasized that “the real strength of this celebration lies in the acceleration of actions to improve the lives of women.” She noted that the Philippines ranked 20th out of 148 countries in the 2025 Global Gender Gap Report, achieving an overall gender parity score of 78.1.
However, this ranking is lower than the country’s 5th place position in 2013, with ongoing challenges in economic participation and political representation.
First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos reaffirmed the government’s commitment to women’s rights, and empowerment. She highlighted the implementation of the National Action Plan for Women, designed to strengthen laws, institutions, and services for women both domestically and internationally.
Initiatives within the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028 aim to expand women’s economic participation through digital and financial inclusion, livelihood programs, and access to technology. Health programs, including safe motherhood services and cancer screenings, are also being emphasized.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the purpose of the month-long celebration?
The Philippines’ month-long celebration of women in March is aimed at advancing concrete goals on gender equality, leadership, and social protection for Filipino women.
What is the current ranking of the Philippines in the Global Gender Gap Report?
The Philippines ranked 20th out of 148 countries in the 2025 Global Gender Gap Report, with an overall gender parity score of 78.1.
What is the National Action Plan for Women intended to do?
The National Action Plan for Women seeks to strengthen laws, institutions, and frontline services that protect women both in the Philippines and abroad.
As the Philippines continues to prioritize women’s empowerment, what role will sustained public and private sector collaboration play in achieving greater gender parity?
