By Dean Aubrey Caratiquet
Recognizing the indispensable role of women in bringing about meaningful change, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. represented the Philippines during his attendance at the 4th ASEAN Women Leaders’ Summit on Tuesday.
In his speech before various ASEAN delegates, the President urged inclusivity for women, whom he touted as undervalued despite their value in sustaining families and strengthening communities.
“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.”
President Marcos Jr. went on a brief tour down memory lane as he recalled how today’s Philippine Commission on Women was established through various initiatives that can be traced back to the time when the Philippines stood as the founding pillar of ASEAN along with fellow member states.
Linking this piece of national identity to the ASEAN Community Vision 2045, he noted how the lack of representation for women in politics and enterprises places a chokehold on truly impactful change and progress.
This, as he encouraged those in attendance at the Summit to ensure that policies translate into meaningful action that would resonate and look after the welfare and safety of women, especially at a time when threats go beyond physical spaces and transcend national borders as they emerge in the digital realm.
The Chief Executive concluded, “Excellencies, friends, the story of Southeast Asia has always been a story of resilience, and at the heart of that resilience are the women of ASEAN.”
Forming part of several high-level conventions ahead of the 49th ASEAN Summit in November, the women-centric dialogue focuses on bolstering feminine leadership in the following areas:
- Peace and security
- Environment and biodiversity
- Representation in non-traditional fields
- Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM)
- Youth leadership and intergenerational action
A key outcome of the Summit will be the adoption of the ASEAN Declaration on Women’s Leadership for Inclusive Prosperity, which will serve as a regional framework that would solidify women’s participation and leadership in various priority areas such as governance, peacebuilding, and economic development—essential to ASEAN’s future.
jpv
