Did you know that the month of March is declared as the National Women’s Month and its first week is known as the Women’s Week? Pursuant to Proclamation No. 224, s. 1988, this aids Filipino women who are longing for national civil liberties, equality of the sexes, and human rights.

The new theme for years 2023 to 2028 is “WE for gender equality and inclusive society”. This is consistent with the Philippine Development Plan (PDP) 2023–2028, which seeks to genuinely revamp the economy and society by revitalizing job creation and accelerating poverty reduction.

According to the 2023 National Women’s Month Branding Guidelines released by Philippine Commission on Women (PCW), the campaign theme logo symbolizes the following:

• WE – W stands for women and E stands for everyone and for Women’s Empowerment; which can be attained if everyone, not just women, are working for gender equality and women empowerment.
• Gender Equality – This encourages everyone, not just women, to vote, to act on the issue, and advocate for equality and inclusiveness.
• Inclusive Society – A person's dignity, safety, and ability to lead a better life all depend on their ability to be included in the community. Each individual, with rights and responsibilities, should be capacitated to have a dynamic responsibility to play in the society.

In support to the PCW, everyone is encouraged to a) Use the 2023 NWMC Facebook Profile Frame via this link: twb.nz/2023nwmc, b) Wear anything purple on all Wednesdays of March to signify support to gender equality and women's empowerment, c) Join the online campaign through inclusion of hashtag #WEcanbeEquALL to all captions of NWMC-related posts in social media, and d) Use the All-Women Cast Lupang Hinirang Video during meetings and flag raising ceremonies (Download video here: https://library.pcw.gov.ph/?smd_process_download=1&download_id=10815). NNC MIMAROPA aspires that WE are all for Gender Equality, and WE are all for an Inclusive Society.

Written by: PEO I Nichole Loyola

References:

Official Gazette. (1998). Proclamation No. 224, s. 1988:   Declaring the First Week of March of Every Year as Women’s Week and March 8, 1988 and Every Year Thereafter as Women’s Rights and International Peace Day. Accessed from https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/1988/03/01/proclamation-no-224-s-1988/

Philippine Commission on Women. (2023). Guide for the 2023 National Women’s Month Celebration. Accessed from https://pcw.gov.ph/pcw-memorandum-circular-no-2023-01-guide-for-the-2023-national-womens-month-celebration/