Photo courtesy of ASEAN 2026 PH
Bilang ASEAN 2026 Chair, isinusulong ng Pilipinas ang mas malawak na pakikilahok ng kababaihan sa pamumuno at pagdedesisyon para sa patuloy na pag-unlad ng rehiyon.
Sa 2nd ASEAN-EU Dialogue on Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women and Girls, na bahagi ng 4th ASEAN Women Leaders’ Summit, binigyang-diin ni Philippine Commission on Women Chairperson Ermelita Valdeavilla ang kahalagahan ng sapat na representasyon ng kababaihan sa national leadership — partikular sa policymaking, national security, macroeconomics, at finance.
Batay sa inilunsad na ASEAN Study on Women’s Political Participation and Leadership, nananatiling underrepresented ang kababaihan sa ilang mahahalagang larangan ng pamamahala at pagdedesisyon sa ASEAN.
Nasa 10 hanggang 38 porsiyento lamang umano ang representasyon ng kababaihan bilang mga kandidato ng political parties sa rehiyon, at mas madalas silang inilalaban sa mga posisyong mas mababa ang antas.
“Behind every number in this study is a woman: The counselor who was told to wait her turn. The candidate who could not afford to run. The leader silenced by threats online. Our data have evidences, and our evidences have faces,” sabi ni Valdeavilla sa kanyang pambungad na mensahe. “So today, let us make a promise to the women behind these numbers, that this study will not sit on the shelf, but will shape laws, budgets, and party lists.”
Matatandaang sa kanyang mensahe sa pagbubukas ng ASEAN Women Leaders’ Summit nitong Martes, ipinahayag ni Pangulong Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ang kanyang buong suporta sa pagsusulong ng women’s leadership sa ASEAN.
“For decades, women across Southeast Asia have sustained our families, strengthened our communities, driven our economies, and yet, their contributions have too often been undervalued. That must change,” wika ni Pangulong Marcos Jr. “Women are not simply beneficiaries of our progress; they are leaders and innovators shaping ASEAN’s future, and our policies, institutions, and investments must reflect this.”
Sa Huwebes (October 1) gaganapin ang pagsasara ng 4th ASEAN Women Leaders’ Summit sa Edsa Shangri-La sa Mandaluyong City.
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