The Philippines highlights the need to accelerate women’s participation in governance and enhance gender perspective in upholding good governance as the country observes the National Women’s Month.

At the global level, the United Nations Population fund reiterated its commitment to strengthen and expand efforts to end gender-based violence.

The Philippine Commission on Women said the government’s theme for this year’s Women’s Month, “Leading change on a straight path to engendered governance,” highlights the importance of strengthening mechanisms and institutions that support women and widen the arena for their participation. It is also aligned with the Philippines’ Magna Carta of Women provisions on participation and representation and peace and development.

Key activities lined up by the PCW include a Women’s Day forum on March 8, an exhibit showcasing the products of women micro entrepreneurs on March 19, a launching of policy document Gender Equality Guides for Media  on March 22, and the Young Women Leaders Forum on March 20-21.

In his message for the commemoration of the International Women’s Day on March 8, UNFPA Executive Director Babatunde Osotimehin said gender-based violence remains a major health and human rights concern and no human development can be achieved as long as women and girls continue to suffer from violence or live in fear of it.

This year's International Women's Day coincides with the ongoing meeting at the United Nations, at New York, of the Commission on the Status of Women, which this year focusses on the priority theme of Addressing Violence against Women.

“Globally, millions of women and girls are subjected to all forms of violence, including rape, intimate partner violence, female genital mutilations, child marriages and sexual violence in armed conflict and during humanitarian crisis,” Osotimehin said.

He added that women and girls who are abused may suffer prolonged psychological pain, may be rejected by their families and communities, and may be denied opportunities for health care and economic self-sufficiency.

“In addition, there are direct physical consequences.  Sexual violence can result in unwanted pregnancies, unsafe abortions, traumatic fistula and sexually transmitted infections, including HIV—all of which can be fatal. As part of the global community, we have an obligation to ensure that these human rights violations come to an end.”

“Building on the work of the Commission on the Status of Women, we must come together to find an internationally agreed consensus which will  bring us closer to keeping women and girls safe and free from violence or the threat of violence.  This is our chance to have a positive impact on the lives of millions. We cannot afford to miss this opportunity,” he said.