PH Elevates Gender Equality Agenda in UN Commission on the Status of Women Feedback Forum

Philippine delegation members address questions from the audience and media at the CSW69 Feedback Forum held at The Bayleaf Hotel on 03 April 2025. (L-R) Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) OIC Deputy Executive Director Anette Baleda; Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity Assistant Secretary Susana Marcaida; Plan International Philippines Youth Delegate Ms. Princess Esteves; PCW Chairperson Ermelita Valdeavilla; Department of Social Welfare and Development Undersecretary Emmeline Aglipay-Villar; Department of Science and Technology Assistant Secretary Diana Ignacio; and Commission on Human Rights Commissioner Faydah Dumarpa

MANILA 08 April 2025 — Following the active Philippine participation in the 69th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW69) on 10-21 March 2025 in New York, U.S.A., the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) hosted a Feedback Forum at The Bayleaf Hotel, Manila on 04 April 2025 to share the outcomes of the session to relevant stakeholders and ways forward for the Philippines.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) through the Office of United Nations and International Organizations (UNIO), along with various government and UN agencies, members of the diplomatic corps and media, and civil society representatives attended the Forum, which reported the salient outcomes of CSW69 with a focus on leveraging global platforms and forging ahead in face of the most pressing issues confronting women today.

“We need to sustain the country’s international leadership in global efforts for gender equality and women’s rights,” PCW Chairperson Ermelita Valdeavilla said in her report, which underscored the Philippines’ achievements in empowering women and girls in the country through a whole-of-society approach.

A panel discussion featuring members of the CSW69 Philippine delegation spotlighted lessons learned as well as best practices from other UN member states who attended CSW69. The panelists also highlighted the importance that the Philippines gives to the women, peace, and security agenda, care and support systems, eradication of poverty, legislated Gender and Development (GAD) budgets, and emerging issues including gender-based violence amplified by the use of technology and climate change. The panel also encouraged the involvement of youth in the crafting of relevant policies and harnessing more women in leadership roles, among others.

A video message from the Philippine Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Antonio Lagdameo was also featured in the Forum. The Feedback Forum was livestreamed by RTVM at https://web.facebook.com/rtvmalacanang/videos/524409567377757/. END

PCW Chairperson Ermelita V. Valdeavilla reports back to relevant PH agencies and stakeholders on the outcomes of the Philippines’ participation in the 69th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women.