19 March 2014 - The Philippines called for the inclusion of gender equality and empowerment of women as a standalone goal in the elaboration of the post-2015 development agenda at the United Nations (UN). Deputy Director-General Margarita R. Songco of the National Economic Development Authority of the Philippines, delivered the country statement on March 11, during the 58th session of the Commission on the Status of Women, whose priority theme is “Challenges and achievements in the implementation of the Millennium Development Goals for women and girls.”
Ms. Songco reaffirmed the country’s strong commitment to promoting gender equality, highlighting the Philippine Development Plan for 2011-2016, which includes gender-related targets and strategies toward achieving inclusive growth. She pointed out that 2015, which marks the deadline for attaining the MDGs as well as the twentieth anniversary of the Fourth World Conference on Women and the adoption of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, would be an opportune moment to critically assess how countries are faring in attaining the MDGs for women and girls. She stressed that the promotion of gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls must be a stand-alone goal in the post-2015 development agenda.
The Philippines also successfully hosted two side events on the sidelines of the 58th session of CSW. “Women Weathering Typhoon Haiyan: Experiences in Gender-responsive Disaster Relief, Recovery and Reconstruction” showcased the Philippine experience in coping with super typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan), which struck the country in November 2013. It provided an opportunity for countries like the US and Japan to share experiences and lessons learned in dealing with disasters and other crisis situations, towards the integration of a gender perspective in disaster risk reduction and management. Undersecretary Florencia Dorotan of the National Anti-Poverty Commission moderated the panel discussion, while Assistant Secretary Vilma Cabrera of the Department of Social Welfare and Development and Deputy Executive Director Maria Fellizar Cagay of the Center for Disaster Preparedness served as panelists.
“Ending Trafficking of Women and Girls: Visions, Contexts and Strategies” discussed the integration of issues of environmental sustainability and trafficking of women, and how these issues affect the attainment of MDGs. It also discussed lessons from the efforts of the Philippines, as well as of Nordic countries and France, in addressing trafficking and the climate issues. The discussion of climate change in the context of trafficking is particularly relevant, as the UN Conference on Climate Change is currently ongoing in Bonn, Germany. Emmeline Verzosa, Executive Director of the Philippine Commission on Women, moderated the panel discussion, while Aurora de Dios, Executive Director of the Women and Gender Institute, and Jean Enriquez, Executive Director of the Coalition Against Trafficking in Women – Asia Pacific, served as panelists.
The Philippines also co-sponsored three other side events: “What women bring to sustainable development: building on MDGs achievements and gaps to create new opportunities and face common challenges,” together with the European Union; “Disaster risk reduction and empowerment of women,” together with Japan; and “Prioritizing Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights in the context of the Humanitarian/Development Continuum,” with the UN Fund for Population Growth. Deputy Director-General Songco, Assistant Gina dela Cruz of the National Anti-Poverty Commission, and Rina Jimenez-David, Chairperson of PILIPINA, were among those who participated in the said side events.
The Philippine delegation to the 58th CSW session is headed by Ambassador Libran N. Cabactulan, Chair of the 58th CSW session and Permanent Representative of the Philippines to the United Nations, and is co-headed by the Margarita R. Songco, Deputy Director-General of the National Economic Development Authority. The delegation included representatives from the Department of Health, the National Anti-Poverty Commission, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the Department of Social Welfare and Development, the Regional Commission on Bangsamoro Women, the Philippine Commission on Women, the Department of Science and Technology, and civil society organizations.
The 58th CSW session will end on 21 March 2014. END