Every year, in March, the Philippines celebrates National Women’s Month. As always, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) also joins this year’s celebrations, reaffirming its commitment to support and promote the rights of women everywhere!
This year, the National Women’s Month Celebration sub-theme is “Lipunang Patas sa Bagong Pilipinas: Kakayahan ng Kababaihan, Patutunayan!” This theme puts emphasis on showcasing the skills and talents of Filipino women — and their contributions toward national growth and development.
DSWD Reaffirms Commitment to Support Women’s Rights
“Women have huge influence in our country, not only as homemakers, but as leaders in their chosen fields, and also as catalysts to nation building,” DSWD Assistant Secretary for Strategic Communications Romel Lopez stated, as cited in a press release.
Asst. Sec. Lopez, who also happens to be the DSWD spokesperson, declared that the department shall continue to “build more spaces” where women can participate and become empowered citizens.
“The DSWD strongly believes in the power of women as change-makers,” the Assistant Secretary declared. “The government, as a duty-bearer, has the responsibility to continue to address the gaps that hinder women and girls to fully attain the benefits of gender equality and sustainable development.”
“We encourage everyone to participate in the advocacy of strengthening the implementation of the Magna Carta of Women or Republic Act 9710,” Asst. Sec. Lopez added.
National Women’s Month Activities
For the entire month, the DSWD is participating in various activities led by the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW). Among these activities are:
- #PurpleFridays – where employees are encouraged to wear their best purple attire every Friday of March;
- #PurpleYourIcon – where offices are decorated with purple elements to signify support for women’s empowerment and gender equality;
- #WecanbeEquALL – a hashtag that everyone is urged to use when posting their National Women’s Month activities.
In addition, the DSWD will be holding the “#Herspace is a Safeplace” online and face-to-face forum on March 19 and 20, 2024. This forum seeks to promote a fair, safe, inclusive, and gender-sensitive working environment in the DSWD Central Office as well as in all of the department’s Field Offices.
About National Women’s Month
For many years now, the Philippines has been celebrating National Women’s Month to highlight important topics such as women empowerment, gender equality, and gender inclusivity. But what exactly are the legal bases for this event?
According to the official website of the Philippine Commission on Women, the legal bases for celebrating National Women’s Month are:
- Proclamation No. 224 s. 1988 or “Declaring the First Week of March of Every Year as Women’s Week and March 8, 1988, and Every Year Thereafter as Women’s Rights and International Peace Day;”
- Proclamation No. 227 s. 1988 or “Providing for the Observance of the Month of March as ‘Women’s Role in History Month;’” and
- Republic Act 6949 s. 1990 or “An Act to Declare March Eight of Every Year as a Working Special Holiday to be Known as National Women’s Day.”
Image Credit: DSWD Caraga
Indeed, women play a vital role in society — be it inside the home, in school, in the work place, in church, and in the community as a whole. Together with the DSWD and other public and private organizations, let us take this time to express our support for the amazing women in our lives!
Of course, aside from women, the DSWD is concerned about the rights and well-being of all Filipinos, most especially the elderly. Check out this article to learn more about the department’s Social Pension for Indigent Senior Citizens.