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25 November 2013 - Philippine Ambassador to Timor-Leste María Aileen H. Bugarín joined the celebration of National Women’s Day of Timor-Leste held on November 08 at the Dili Convention Center.

The Timor-Leste Government, through the Office of the Secretary of State for the Promotion of Equality (SEPI), invited Ambassador Bugarín to represent the Philippine Government in the commemorative event. The affair was attended by high-ranking officials from Australia, Brunei, Indonesia and Thailand.
Dili National Womens Day

In her message, Ambassador Bugarín commended the Timor-Leste Government for its commitment in mainstreaming women and gender issues. Drawing from the experience of the Philippines, she noted that the “long and challenging quest for gender equality and women’s empowerment” starts with the recognition of women’s struggle against discrimination and all forms of violence.

The Ambassador also took the opportunity to highlight the gains made by the Philippines in the promotion and advancement of women’s issues, such as but not limited to:

  • its major role in the drafting of the landmark treaty on women empowerment – the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women or CEDAW;
  • its enactment on August 14, 2009 of the Philippine Magna Carta of Women – the first of its kind in Asia – which is a comprehensive law that guarantees and recognizes women’s basic rights;
  • the World Economic Forum’s citation of the Philippines in its 2012 Gender Gap Report as “one of the best places to be a woman”;
  • the impressive ranking of the Philippines in the 2013 Gender Gap Report – being the fifth overall and the highest-ranking country from Asia;
  • the establishment of Violence Against Women Desks in 76 percent of the barangays in the country; and
  • the robust partnerships among various stakeholders in closing the gender gap disparity in the country.

As an expression of support and solidarity with Timor-Leste, Ambassador Bugarín ended her speech by conveying the “openness and willingness of the Philippines to pursue strategic cooperation with Timor-Leste in its efforts to promote the intertwined issues of women’s rights and women’s empowerment.” END