DFA Holds Lecture Forum on Women Empowerment for Pasay City High School Students 

DFA Secretary for Foreign Affairs Enrique A. Manalo with Chief Coordinator Bernadette Therese Fernandez, Office of American Affairs Assistant Secretary Jose Victor Chan-Gonzaga, officials from the Embassies of the United States of America, Colombia, Chile, Brazil, Argentina, Panama, Canada, Mexico and Venezuela, Office of American Affairs personnel, and female highschool students from Baclaran National High School, Kalayaan National High School, Pasay City East High School, Pasay City National High School, Pasay City North High School, Pasay City South High School, Pasay City West High School, Philippine National High School for the Deaf, and President Corazon C. Aquino National High School at the forum “Empowering Women: Insights and Perspectives from the Americas”. (Photo courtesy to DFA-OPD James Ryan Artiaga)

MANILA 22 March 2024 – The Department of Foreign Affairs - Office of American Affairs (DFA-OAA), in commemoration of National Women’s Month, conducted a lecture forum titled “Empowering Women: Insights and Perspectives from the Americas” on 20 March 2024 at the Bulwagang Apolinario Mabini, DFA Building.

With the theme “Lipunang Patas sa Bagong Pilipinas: Kakayahan ng Kababaihan, Patutunayan!” that calls for a ”Bagong Pilipinas” in support of equitable opportunities for women and girls, the forum featured speakers from the embassies of the United States of America, Colombia, Chile, Canada, and Panama who discussed their initiatives and policies in promoting women empowerment in the areas of labor and employment, consolidation of rights, foreign policy, international development assistance, and science and technology, respectively. 

The countries mentioned above were represented by United States Ambassador Mary Kay Carlson, Colombian Ambassador Marcela Ordoñez, Chilean Ambassador Alvaro Jara Bucarey, Canadian First Secretary Vlad Unesco, and Panamanian Vice Consul Xenia Mariel Pardo. 

“To make the celebration of Women’s Month memorable, we realized that we can sharpen the way we appreciate our various bilateral relations with the region by using the cross-cutting lens of women’s rights and women empowerment, and enriching current dialogues through a more diverse audience in mind, and that is the youth and the academic community,” Assistant Secretary Jose Victor Chan-Gonzaga said in his welcome remarks.

With the aim to have a diverse audience to learn about women-centered policies in the Americas, the DFA Office of American Affairs invited 90 female highschool students from nine neighboring schools in Pasay City, namely Baclaran National High School, Kalayaan National High School, Pasay City East High School, Pasay City National High School, Pasay City North High School, Pasay City South High School, Pasay City West High School, Philippine National High School for the Deaf, and President Corazon C. Aquino National High School. 

“In making empowerment as a collective responsibility, we are faced with the task of challenging norms and listening to new insights in order to move the path forward. As you will bear the torch for the generations ahead, I hope that you will consider education as a lifelong journey. Ultimately, empowerment starts with education,” Chief Coordinator Bernadette Therese Fernandez shared to students in her keynote speech. 

Championing the 2024 theme, the presentations highlighted the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion in the unified goal of empowerment, inviting different genders, sectors, and nationalities, including the youth in this undertaking.  

In discussing the current path to empowerment of women in the US labor force, US Ambassador Carlson encouraged young women in the audience to not disqualify themselves from any occupation or industry. “Do not be the first to say no to yourself”. The Ambassador shared a powerful reminder to students regarding the personal barriers that women face when it comes to their chosen careers. 

She also lauded the achievements of the Philippines in narrowing the gender gap, with the country placing first in Asia in consistently upholding the rights and freedoms of women. She added that this reality is evident in the leadership in the Department of Foreign Affairs. Currently, women comprise 59% of the Philippine foreign service across all levels, and 42% of heads of diplomatic and consular missions across the globe are women.

Regarding Chile’s feminist foreign policy, Ambassador Jara emphasized that reviewing the social and institutional structures which perpetuate inequalities is a large component in order to create policies which address these gaps. In her presentation, Colombian Ambassador Ordoñez shared the struggles of Colombian women in society and their path to empowerment. Meanwhile, Canadian First Secretary Unesco shared the impact of development assistance in different areas such as in agriculture, climate change, and reproductive health in improving the lives of women in the Philippines. Lastly, Panamanian Vice Consul Pardo spoke on the initiatives and milestones to increase participation of women in science and technology in their country.

The presentations were followed by a moderated panel discussion where students were able to ask questions to the speakers on the various presentations. The forum concluded with an Interschool Women Empowerment Quiz to test students on their knowledge of history and trivia on prominent Philippine and international women icons. Baclaran National High School won the first prize. 

This is the second event where the DFA Office of American Affairs engaged highschools in Pasay City to inspire and demonstrate the broader work of the Department to the youth in the immediate community of the DFA. The first was held in November 2023 where the students of Pasay City West High School were invited to the viewing of the Photo Exhibit in commemoration of the 70th anniversary of Philippine-Mexico diplomatic relations. END

DFA Chief Coordinator Ms. Bernadette Therese Fernandez delivers the keynote speech at the event “Empowering Women: Insights and Perspectives from the Americas”. (Photo courtesy to DFA-OPD James Ryan Artiaga)

DFA-Office of American Affairs Assistant Secretary Jose Victor Chan-Gonzaga and US Ambassador Mary Kay Carlson pose with students from Baclaran National High School,  the first prize winners in the Interschool Women Empowerment Quiz. (Photo courtesy to DFA-OPD James Ryan Artiaga)

Chief Coordinator Bernadette Therese Fernandez (front row right most from center aisle)  and Assistant Secretary Jose Victor Chan-Gonzaga (front row left most from center aisle) pose for a photo with speakers and guests from Embassies in the Americas and the female student participants from Pasay City High Schools. (Photo courtesy to DFA-OPD James Ryan Artiaga)