๐๐๐๐ | ๐๐๐ฏ๐จ๐๐๐ญ๐๐ฌ ๐๐๐ฅ๐ฅ ๐๐จ๐ซ ๐ฌ๐ฒ๐ฌ๐ญ๐๐ฆ๐ข๐ ๐๐ก๐๐ง๐ ๐ ๐ญ๐จ ๐๐๐๐ซ๐๐ฌ๐ฌ ๐ ๐๐ง๐๐๐ซ ๐ข๐ง๐๐ช๐ฎ๐๐ฅ๐ข๐ญ๐ฒ
by Adina Kim Bulan
Local leaders and advocates gathered at the SM Cauayan City Bridgeway to headline the 2026 National Womenโs Month celebration, addressing gender inequality and barriers, March 21.
The sessions were anchored in the Philippines’ legal framework for gender equality.
Ms. Krisha Pearl Nayga, a faculty member of the College of Arts and Sciences of ISU-Echague, provided an in-depth analysis into the sociological obstacles faced by women.
Nayga highlighted the Magna Carta of Women (RA 9710), often referred to as the “Bill of Rights for Filipino women,” which mandates “Gender Mainstreaming” across all government agencies.
Key mandates discussed as essential tools for protection and advancement included:
RA 11313 (Safe Spaces Act), as protection against gender-based harassment in public spaces, including malls and schools.
RA 11210 (Expanded Maternity Leave) which directly addresses the structural barrier in terms of child care.
RA 7877 (Anti-Sexual Harassment Act) which mandates against sexual harassment.
In her session, โTreat Barriers as Structural, Cultural, and Psychological,โ she challenged the audience to examine the systems at playโhighlighting the disproportionate amount of domestic work handled by women as a primary structural barrier.
Moreover, she spoke extensively on the subtle reinforcement of gendered leadership traits and internalized social roles from a young age at schools and workplaces.
She also urged that lactation areas should be implemented in areas such as schools and workplaces to help women to properly take care for their children.
On the other hand, Atty. Charlene Quintos, President of JCI Bamboo, addressed the hurdles women face in decision-making roles.
In her talk, โBreaking Barriers โ Women in Leadership,โ Quintos emphasized that lifting other women is the most effective way to ensure sustainable progress.
She also encouraged the audience to stand up for women in the face of sexism, discrimination, and misogyny.
Concluding the plenary, Ms. Conchita Palencia, President of Green Ladies, spoke on โInclusive Economic Empowerment to Accelerate Climate Solutionsโโaligning gender equality with the UNESCO & SDG Framework, specifically SDG 5 (Gender Equality).
Her discussion focused on the intersection of gender and environmental sustainability, specifically highlighting Inclusive Economic Participation and Green Job Creation as drivers for growth, Social Equity and Climate Justiceโensuring women are not left behind in environmental transitions, the development of a Social Security Economy, and alignment with the UNESCO & SDG Frameworkโemphasizing SDG 5 (Gender Equality) and global accountability.
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