DFA-OVS Conducts Beyond Suffrage 2024 Forum and “Para Kanino Ka Bumoboto Photo Exhibit” in Celebration of the 87th Anniversary of Filipino Women’s Right to Suffrage
PASAY 23 May 2024 – In celebration of the 87th anniversary of Filipino women’s right to suffrage (30 April 1927), the Department of Foreign Affairs - Overseas Voting Secretariat (OVS) conducted a forum entitled Beyond Suffrage: Challenges and Triumphs on the Participation of Women in Overseas Voting on 17 May 2024 at the Bulwagang Apolinario Mabini of the Department. The said forum was followed by the opening of the exhibit entitled Beyond Suffrage: Para Kanino Ka Bumoboto Photo Exhibit showcasing the winning photo entries of the OVS’ photo contest with the same title held last 01 March to 15 April 2024.
Undersecretary Jesus S. Domingo, Chairperson of the OVS, in his welcome remarks, informed the audience that the event is the 2nd edition of the Beyond Suffrage series. He also stated that based on empirical data, women make up the most of those who participate in overseas voting, both during registration and actual voting. He concluded that a celebration of overseas voting is, therefore, also a celebration of women’s right to suffrage.
Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia of the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) highlighted the implementation of internet overseas voting for the 2025 National and Local Elections (NLE). In preparation of the 2025 NLE, Chairperson Garcia confirmed the training of DFA personnel to better equip them with the system of internet voting. The COMELEC shall also conduct an internet voting information drive for the Filipino community overseas.
Representative Marissa Del Mar Magsino of the OFW Partylist encouraged the participation of the Filipinos overseas in the upcoming elections and expressed her continued commitment to advocate for online voting and registration.
Professor Jean S. Encinas-Franco discussed her study entitled “Explaining Sex-Disaggregated Overseas Voting Behavior and Satisfaction among Overseas Filipinos”. The study is conducted under the partnership between the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) to strengthen the COMELEC’s capability to perform gender-disaggregated data analysis, develop evidence-based policies, and to further advocate for women empowerment.
The event was attended by DFA officials and employees, partner agencies and civil society organizations, both in-person and online. END
