Statement by UNFPA Philippines Country Representative Dr. Leila Joudane on International Women’s Day (8 March 2025)
Thirty years ago, the Philippines made a commitment for gender equality. By signing the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, the government made a lasting promise to work on upholding women’s rights and work for women empowerment.
The country’s commitment ignited important discussions on violence against women, women’s political participation, and economic rights for all. This resulted in landmark legislations in the Philippines such as the Magna Carta on Women, Women in Development and Nation Building Act, Reproductive Health Law, Safe Spaces Act, Expanded Maternity Leave, The Act of Raising the Age of Sexual Consent, and the Prohibition of Child Marriages Act.
However, despite these advancements, marginalization, discrimination, and violence still surround thousands of Filipinas. We still live in a world where every two minutes a woman or girl dies because of preventable causes related to pregnancy or childbirth.
According to the Philippine National Police, 33,713 cases on violence against women and children (VAWC) were recorded in 2024, most of which involved young vulnerable girls. These troubling statistics on VAWC are not just mere numbers but harsh realities that Filipino women and young girls experience.
This International Women's Day, the United Nations' global theme, 'For ALL women and girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment,' emphasizes the urgent need to ensure equal rights, power, and opportunities for all women and girls. Achieving this vision calls for a collective effort—a shared commitment from governments, civil society, and individuals to dismantle the barriers that hinder women and girls from reaching their full potential.
UNFPA in the Philippines, alongside its partners, is actively working to translate this vision into reality by championing sexual and reproductive health and rights and empowering women and girls across the country.
We stand in solidarity #ForAllWomenAndGirls who are leading the way toward a future where rights, equality, and empowerment are a reality for everyone. When women and girls thrive, so does the nation. #ForAllWomenAndGirls
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