Duterte cites importance of International Women’s Day

March 8, 2019

President Rodrigo Duterte joined on Friday the Filipinos in celebrating International Women's Day.

In his message, Duterte underscored the importance of the occasion, saying it is a reminder for all that the Magna Carta for Women should be properly implemented at all levels of government.

"We must also create and facilitate platforms to discuss best practices, gaps and challenges in pursuing gender and development in local government units all over the country," he said.

Duterte expressed hope that the event would also serve as a testament "to our firm commitment to always inform and engage various stakeholders—whether in the government, the private sector or in civic organizations."

"In this manner, we can promote gender equality and put in place functional mechanisms that ensure that any development effort would be inclusive and gender responsive," he added. 

The theme for this year's International Women's Day is “Think Equal, Build Smart, Innovate for Change”, which puts innovation by women and girls, for women and girls, at the heart of efforts to achieve gender equality, according to the United Nations Women. Celerina Monte/DMS