Philippine Embassies, Consulates Spearhead Worldwide Celebration of Women’s Month
PASAY CITY 26 March 2021 - Philippine Embassies and Consulates all over the world joined the commemoration of the National Women’s Month this March with the theme, “We Make Change Work for Women: Juana Laban sa Pandemya: Kaya!” which focused on women’s participation and role in responding to the different challenges brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic and addressing gender-related problems that come with it.
Two outstanding Filipino women frontliners who dedicated themselves at the height of the pandemic were recognized by the Consulate General in Melbourne, while the Embassy in Beijing likewise recognized female Foreign Service personnel for their efforts in repatriation and welfare assistance.
In the United States, a homage was made by Philippine Consulates to Filipino and Fil-Am Women writers and accomplished Filipino-American women in various fields such as information and technology, state government service, media, and culture.
In Canada, the importance of women in the workplace was underscored while in Australia, the Embassy in Canberra partnered with “Lakas Filipina Incorporated'' on support to Filipino women rights, political participation, and access to education and healthcare in New South Wales.
Cultural activities were held in Argentina, with the Embassy featuring the documentary "Kababaihan sa Rebolusyon'' to highlight the important contribution of Filipino women in the Philippine Revolution and in fighting for women's rights. The Philippine Consulate in Chongqing celebrated the occasion with a tea ceremony, flower arrangement session, and exhibition of hand-woven works.
Posts in Germany, Lebanon and Milan, Syria, Norway, Guam, Vietnam, Canada, Portugal, Brunei, including the Permanent Mission of the Philippines to ASEAN, in cooperation with the Filipino Community and other partners, conducted a series of webinars on financial literacy, mental health and wellness, personal development, cervical cancer awareness, men’s and women’s rights and duties in a marital union, support available to migrant women, and domestic violence.
The Philippine Embassies in Vietnam, Bahrain, Greece, China, and Tehran, as well as DFA Consular Offices (COs) in General Santos City, Tagum, Tacloban, Pampanga, and Lipa signified their support for women’s empowerment and gender equality by wearing purple attire and masks during their respective “Purple Monday” celebrations. The Consular Offices gave out purple masks and “Juana Alcohol Sprays” to women clients symbolizing this year’s theme. The Philippine Embassy to Brunei gave priority to women clients during their Sunday Consular Day. END
Top row, left photo: Consul General Orontes Castro, together with women personnel of the Consulate and the Consulate’s clientele, pose beside the NWMC official streamer which was displayed in the Consular area during its celebration of National Women’s Month on 1 March 2021 and posted in its official website and Facebook page. (Photo from PCG Toronto); Top row, right photo: Consul General Orontes V. Castro during his brief remarks and distribution of copies of the Magna Carta of Women after the Consulate’s flag raising ceremony on 1 March 2021. (Photo from PCG Toronto); Center row, left photo: Ambassador Rodolfo D. Robles (top row, middle column) opens the discussions during the ASEAN Committee in Ottawa (ACO) Talk on Women on 17 March 2021, featuring Assistant Deputy Minister and Champion for Women Sandra McCardell (bottom row, right column) from Global Affairs Canada. The event was attended by the ACO Heads of Mission; Center row, right photo: Personnel of Consular Offices in (Clockwise from Left): Pampanga, Tagum, National Capital Region, Lipa, General Santos, Tacloban and the Consulate General in Frankfurt wear purple to show solidarity and their commitment to gender empowerment. (Photos from the aforementioned Offices); Borrow row photo: Ambassador Meynardo Montealegre (Left photo) during his welcome remarks and the officers and staff of the Philippine Embassy during the Purple Monday (Photos from Hanoi PE)
Top row, leftmost photo:The Philippine Embassy in the United States hosts a virtual program entitled, “A Panel Discussion with Filipino and Fil-Am Women Writers” featuring (Clockwise from top right) Aileen Cassinetto, event moderator; Luisa A. Igloria; Gayle Romasanta; Migs Bravo Dutt; and Cecilia Manguerra Brainard; Top row, rightmost photo: Clockwise from top left: Ambassador Wilfredo Santos and Madam Geraldine Lucero-Santos with Embassy Officers and staff ; Ambassador Hellen B. De La Vega and Philippine Embassy Officials with the officers of Lakas Filipina Incorporated; Ambassador Jose Santiago L. Sta. Romana with Embassy Officers and Staff and Participants to the online talk entitled “Talakayan sa Konsulado: Bida si Juana sa Panahon ng Pandemya” conducted by Frankfurt PCG. ( Photos from the aforementioned offices); Top row, center photo: Participants in the Philippine Embassy Lebanon’s webinar in cooperation with Overseas Filipinos Bank ( Photo form Philippine Embassy Bahrain); Bottom row, left photo: Screenshots of the participants in the online talk entitled “Talakayan sa Konsulado: Bida si Juana sa Panahon ng Pandemya” with Dr. Jennefer organized by The Philippine Consulate General in Frankfurt. (Photo from Philippine Consulate Frankfurt); Bottom row, left photo: Consul General Maria Lourdes Salcedo addresses the annual event of Skylark International. Left photo shows her with Skylark Vice President, Nerenita Rabelista; awardees Rowena Gatchalian and Dr. Michelle Natividad Bautist;, Arlene Lucas, Skylark President and its Secretary Maribeth Ramos (Photos from PCG Melbourne)
Top row, left photo: The Philippine Consulate General Milan launched an Online Gender and Development Seminar Series in celebration of the 2021 National Women’s Month and International Women’s Day (Photo from PCG Milan); Top row, right photo: Philippine Embassy Manama Personnel Commemorate National Women’s Month with “PurpleThursdays” (Photo from Philippine Embassy Manama); Center row, left photo: Screenshot of Participants to the webinar entitled “Women Make Change” organized by the Permanent Mission of the Philippines to ASEAN (Photo from Permanent Mission of the Philippines to ASEAN); Center row, left photo: Attendees to the event and Chargé d’Affaires (CDA), a.i. Vida Soraya S. Verzosa on Facebook Live Streaming (Photo from Damascus PE); Third row photo: Land Bank Overseas Representative Officer Leover A. Loyola (top row, second from left) leads the webinar on financial wellness, in cooperation with the Embassy. (Oslo PE photo); Bottom row photo: Left photo: Online panelists .(clockwise from left): Consul and Acting Head of Post Ferdinand P. Flores, Consul Alex O. Vallespin, Senator Joanne Brown, Speaker Therese M. Terlaje, Governor Lou Leon Guerrero, and Senator Amanda Shelton engage In-person participants during the forum hosted the Philippine Consulate. (Photo from Agana PCG)
Top row, left Photo: Women clients during the Philippine Embassy’s Sunday Consular Service pose for photos as they receive a simple Women’s Month token in celebration of Women’s Month. Right Photo : Participants of the “Matuto sa Manicure, Pedicure at Foot Spa” doing practical exercises during the half-day session.(Photos from Brunei PE); Second row, photo: Left Photo shows participants at the “Seminar on Women Issues,” on 20 March 2021 organized by the Philippine Consulate in Melbourne and DCG Anthony Mandap during the briefing on legal provisions on marriage and divorce of Filipino nationals in foreign countries (Photos from Melbourne PCG); Third row photo :The officers and staff of the Philippine Embassy during the Purple Monday and Ambassador Montealegre delivering his remarks during the workshop organized by the Embassy on 21 March 2021 (Photo by Vietnam PE); Fourth row photo: (Top-bottom, L-R) The 2021 Distinguished Filipino Women Angela Perez, Diana Kris Navarro, Rechelle Balanzat, Diane Paragas, and Joy Lim Nakrin, Deputy Consul General Kerwin Tate and Consul Arman Talbo with some of the attendees during the an online event dubbed as “An Evening with Distinguished Filipino Women” on 18 March 2021. (Photo from NYPM); Bottom row photo: Post’s GAD Focal Point Officer, Ms. Yvonne G. Mofar and Alternate GAD Focal Point Officer, Ms. Dorotea B. Apostol attends the International Women’s Day celebration organized by the Chongqing Women’s Federation on 08 March 2021. (Photo: Chongqing Foreign Affairs Office)