The Philippines’ month-long celebration of women every March is aimed at advancing concrete goals on gender equality, leadership, and social protection for Filipino women, the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) has said.

PCW Chairperson Ermelita Valdeavilla said the observance goes beyond commemorating International Women’s Day on March 8, emphasizing that the country’s month-long celebration is designed to promote sustained action to empower women in all sectors.

She said the initiative draws from policy issuances, such as Proclamation 224 of 1988, which declared the first week of March as Women’s Week and March 8th of every year as Women’s Rights and International Peace Day.

Proclamation 227, series of 1988, provided for the observance of the month of March as “Women’s Role in History Month,” while Proclamation 759, series of 1996, declared the Fourth Week of March as “Protection and Gender-Fair Treatment of the Girl Child Week.”

Proclamation 744, series of 2004, declared the last Monday of March of every year as Women with Disabilities Day in the Philippines.

“The real strength of this celebration lies in the acceleration of actions to improve the lives of women,” she said.

It serves as a platform for government agencies and partners to roll out programs and initiatives that support women’s leadership, safety, and opportunities across the country, she added.

While continuing efforts have addressed gender gaps, Valdeavilla cited that data show the Philippines ranked 20th out of 148 countries in the 2025 Global Gender Gap Report, with an overall gender parity score of 78.1.

She noted that this position is still lower than the 5th rank the country enjoyed in 2013, and the country’s challenges remain in economic participation and political representation.

Meanwhile, First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos reaffirmed the government’s commitment to advancing women’s rights and empowerment, highlighting ongoing programs aimed at strengthening protection and opportunities for women.

In her speech, Araneta-Marcos cited the implementation of the National Action Plan for Women, which seeks to strengthen laws, institutions, and frontline services that protect women both in the Philippines and abroad.

She also shared the initiatives under the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028, including efforts to expand women’s economic participation through digital and financial inclusion, livelihood programs, and access to technology.

Health programs such as safe motherhood services and nationwide breast and cervical cancer screening were also underscored as part of broader efforts to improve women’s well-being and promote gender equality. (PNA)