07 March 2016 - The Philippine Embassy in Yangon, in celebration of International Women’s Month, co-organized with the International Cultural and Charity Group (ICCG), a Forum on Women on March 03 at Summit Parkview Hotel.
The forum, part of the Embassy’s Gender and Development (GAD) program, gathered members of the Filipino Community, members of the diplomatic corps, and local women activists in Yangon.
In her opening speech, Madam Marie Marla C. Chua, spouse of Philippine Ambassador to Myanmar Alex G. Chua, highlighted the Philippines’ active support for women’s rights in the county and in the region. She pointed out that the Philippines and Myanmar are celebrating this year the 60th anniversary of the establishment of bilateral relations and exchanges like the Forum on Women serves to strengthen relations between the Philippines and Myanmar, and the countries in the region.
Feminist leader, Professor Aurora Javate-de Dios, delivered a talk on “Protecting Women’s Rights: ASEAN Perspective and Experiences from the Philippines.” She highlighted the country’s achievements in protecting women’s rights making the Philippines the only Asian country to rank in the top 10 in gender gap index for the last eight years. Professor de Dios also underscored the progress of protecting women’s rights in ASEAN through the establishment of the ASEAN Commission on the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Women and Children, a mechanism to enhance protection of the rights of women and children in ASEAN.
Senior Gender Advisor and Focal Point for UN Women-Myanmar, Dr Jean D’ Cunha stressed the need for women participation in political decision-making and the peace process in Myanmar. Women, she said, are not just victims of conflict but are agents of peace.
The Philippines celebrates the International Women’s Month, pursuant to Proclamation No. 227, s. 1988, to recognize the contributions of Filipino women. The close-to-600 Filipino women in Myanmar contribute to the development of the Philippines and Myanmar as homemakers, teachers, professionals, religious workers and UN/INGO workers. END