PHL Embassy in Washington D.C. Renews Commitment to Gender Equality, Development at Launch of National Women’s Month

27 February 2018 WASHINGTON, D.C. — The personnel of the Philippine Embassy in Washington, D.C. renewed their commitment to achieve full gender equality and development as they launched the 2018 celebration of National Women’s Month during the flag-raising ceremony on 26 February 2018 at the Carlos P. Romulo Hall.

The National Women’s Month Celebration every March is part of the worldwide observance of International Women’s Day (IWD). According to the Philippine Commission on Women, which spearheads the celebration among government agencies, the theme WE Make Change for Women, “emphasizes that women should be active drivers in bringing about positive changes, and that they should also reap from development efforts.”

“While the Philippines has been able to maintain its status as the most gender equal country in Asia in 2017, gaps remain in wages, health services and political empowerment. Observing National Women’s Month every year allows the Filipino people to reflect on these persistent challenges and continue their quest for true gender equality,” stated Embassy Chargé d’Affaires, Patrick A. Chuasoto.

Throughout March, the Embassy will hold activities that aim to empower women and girls to become agents of change within their communities. The activities include a panel discussion on “Women in Creative Arts”, on 08 March, International Women’s Day, and a Gender and Development seminar for Embassy personnel.

A special lane at the passport encoding section will also be dedicated to female applicants on 08 March. END

For more information, visit www.washingtonpe.dfa.gov.ph/ www.philippineembassy-usa.org or https://www.facebook.com/philippinesusa @philippinesusa on Twitter

Personnel of the Philippine Embassy in Washington, D.C. sing along an “all-women cast Lupang Hinirang video” to launch the celebration of March as National Women’s Month at their flag-raising ceremony on 26 February 2018 at the Carlos P. Romulo Hall. The video was produced by the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) in partnership with the Government Insurance Service System (GSIS).

Ms. Darell Artates, the Embassy’s Gender and Development (GAD) Officer, announces the activities related to the 2018 celebration of National Women’s Month.