THE Philippine Commission on Women and the Delegation of the European Union (EU) in the Philippines recently converged for a reinforced commitment in gender equality and women empowerment.
Ambassador of the Netherlands and EU Gender Champion Saskia de Lang, as well as EU Ambassador Luc Véron, met Chairperson Sandra Montano of the Philippine Commission on Women at Malacañang on October 18. They had the opportunity to present and discuss gender equality and women empowerment in the country, as well as ways the EU Delegation and member-states can contribute.
Talks focused on priorities and areas of engagement captured in the EU Country Level Implementation Plan outlining the roll out of the global EU Gender Action Plan III in the Philippines: (1) Addressing challenges and harnessing opportunities by the green transition and the digital transformation; (2) Integrating the women, peace and security agenda; (3) Ensuring freedom from gender-based violence (and access to justice); (4) Promoting sexual and reproductive health and rights; as well as (5) Promoting equal participation and leadership.
“In many ways, we have seen the Philippines’s progress toward gender equality across sectors, despite challenges and setbacks,” said de Lang. “We support those who are working to bring a gender-equal world closer to home, as we share our values and experiences based on the universality of rights.”
“The new EU implementation plan translates our commitment and strategy to concrete interventions toward gender equality and women empowerment in our partnership with the Philippines,” seconded Véron. “We wish to do more, and in a more systematic way. Closely cooperating with the PCW is key to successfully improving gender equality and the situation of women in [this country].”
The third phase of the global EU Gender Action Plan is boosting the engagement of the EU and its member-states in the promotion of gender equality and women empowerment in their relations with partner-countries.
Access to highlights of the EU Gender Action Plan III country-level implementation plan for the Philippines is available via https://eeas.europa.eu/delegations/philippines/1693/about-eu-delegation-philippines_en