2018 National Women’s Month



ACTIVITIES

Informing and engaging women as stakeholders of government programs and services


PRODUCTION AND DISTRIBUTION OF IEC MATERIALS (January to March 2018) – Section 26 of the Magna Carta of Women (Right to Information) also provides that “Access to information regarding policies on women, including programs, projects, and funding outlays that affect them, shall be ensured.” Interestingly, the Agenda Ni Juana Crowdsourcing survey during the 2016 Women’s Month show that the top 5 priority women’s agenda that people expect from the government is “Improved information dissemination on government programs and services for realizing gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls and their human rights” (chosen among the top five priority of 3,297 out of 8,005 survey participants).

In view of this mandate and the citizen’s expressed need for information, government agencies and LGUs are encouraged to produce and distribute their own information materials featuring their GAD programs and services that can be accessed by women stakeholders. Under the banner/theme “WE Make Change Work for Women”, agency/LGU IEC materials shall respond to the following key points:

  • How does the agency/LGU make change work for women?
  • What are the programs and services that can be accessed by women clients? Simplified steps/guide in accessing said programs and services.
  • Results or most recent data on accomplishments (to showcase how citizens were able to benefit from the program).

Agencies and LGUs can follow their respective office’s branding or style guides in the development of their IEC materials, as long as these key points are presented. The IEC materials may be in the form of flyers, posters, comics, magazine/newsletter, printed materials, audio / video materials, or other format which they deem appropriate and economical. They may also opt to utilize various methods for dissemination such as through information caravan or tapping the broadcast, print and online media. It is also best to prepare the IEC in local languages or pop-version.

Tip for GAD Focal Point Systems: this is the time to make your agency GAD initiatives widely known! The key objective is for the government to address the demand for more information about their programs and services which is also consistent with the mandate for women’s right to information under the MCW.


SERBISYO PARA KAY JUANA (March 8 or per discretion of sponsoring agency) – The activity enjoins agencies, LGUs and other organizations that offer direct services and other transactions with the public to offer treats like freebies, discounts, or distribution of IEC materials on March 8 which is the International Women’s Day (IWD) and any chosen dates within March, making the celebration more publicly known and felt.

Participating agencies/LGUs are also requested to send the following information about their IWD treats through the comments link below this webpage:

• Agency / LGU Name:
• IWD Treat:
• Date/s and time/s of availability:
• Venue (where to avail):
• Mechanics (how to avail):
• Contact details in case of public queries about the IWD treat:


NATIONAL WOMEN’S MONTH PHOTO AND POSTER-MAKING CONTEST (March 1-31) – PCW, in partnership with the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO), will launch the 2018 NWMC Photo and Poster-making contest in march. The activity will utilize arts, particularly photography and poster-making to promote women’s empowerment. The photo contest is open to all college students while the poster-making is open to all high school students. Full mechanics shall be released in March.



Creating and facilitating platforms to discuss good practices, gaps, challenges, and commitments in pursuing GAD


ANNOUNCEMENT OF NATIONAL WOMEN’S MONTH CELEBRATION (NWMC) IN FLAG RAISING CEREMONY (February 26) – All government agencies and LGUs are encouraged to include NWMC announcement in their respective Flag Raising Ceremonies on February 26 which is the Monday before the start of Women’s Month. The objective of this activity is to enjoin agency/LGU officials and employees to join the national celebration. It will also give the GAD Focal Point Systems the opportunity to explain the objectives, theme and various ways for their colleagues to contribute in achieving the objectives of the national celebration.

You may use the All-Women Cast Lupang Hinirang Video during your Flag Raising Ceremony and agency’s NWMC activities. The music video can be downloaded here.

Tip for GAD Focal Point Systems: this is the time to highlight GAD within your agency and enjoin the agency officials and employees to support the GAD initiatives that you are working on.


CERTIFICATION OF GAD LOCAL LEARNING HUBS – PCW will also conduct the formal rites for the certification of Local Learning Hubs on Gender and Development (GAD) during month. The certification of GAD Local Learning Hub (LLH) is designed to institutionalize the sharing and replication of LGUs notable experiences and practices on gender mainstreaming.



Inspire and empower women and girls to be agents of change


WOMEN INSPIRING WOMEN SERIES (March 8, 15, 22) – First initiated in 2017, the three-part series aims to celebrate women’s journey by sharing inspiring stories of change in their chosen fields to encourage their fellow women to be empowered change agents. Modeled after TEDx format, it will also serve as a venue for women to inspire and appreciate each other, and create an environment supportive of each other. The forum will run as a three-part series to be conducted in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. Target participants are local government units, non-government and people’s organizations, private sector, and students. Interested organizations can also host similar fora following the mechanics and guidelines to be set by PCW.

DateVenueHow to Register
March 8, 1:00 PM – 5:00 PMGSIS Theatre, Pasay CityOnline Registration
March 15, 1:00 PM – 5:00 PMAklan Training Center, Kalibo, AklanThis is intended for participants based in the island group of Visayas. For interested participants, please coordinate with Engr. Roger Esto at Tel. No.: (036) 268-5442 or (036) 262-1555; Email addresses: ppdoaklan@gmail.com, or aklanpgo@yahoo.com.
March 22, 1:00 PM – 5:00 PMUniversity of Southeastern PhilippinesThis is intended for participants based in the island group of Mindanao. For interested LGUs, NGAs and NGOs, please coordinate with Ms. Lorna Mandin of Davao City IGDD at Tel. No.: (082) 225-0363; Cp. No.: 0917-546-0823 and email addres: igdd@davaocity.gov.ph.

For state universities and colleges, please coordinate with Ms. Rioliza B. Molina of the University of Southeastern Philippines at Cp. No.: 0917-315-8293; Email address: rio.molina@usep.edu.ph

Important note: these events have limited seats. Separate guidelines on participation shall be released by PCW and partner organizations once logistical details are finalized (e.g. seating capacity of venue, confirmed speakers, etc.).

Tip for GAD Focal Point Systems: You may consider organizing your own Women Inspiring Women Fora, giving special focus on topics relevant to your agency mandate. For example, schools can invite speakers who can inspire young women and girls to excel and explore future career options. Agencies with mandate related to women’s economic empowerment can organize a forum targeting women entrepreneurs. Agencies that deal with traditionally male-dominated fields like science and technology, engineering, mathematics, law enforcement and military, and the likes may consider organizing a gathering of women in the said fields to share their inspiring stories of change. LGUs may host a forum among women’s organizations in the locality to discuss topics relevant for women in the locality, and avenues for engagement and collaboration at the local level.

Agencies/LGUs organizing their own Women Inspiring Women event are also requested to send the following information through the comments link below this webpage for inclusion in the NWMC Calendar of events:

• Host Agency / LGU Name:
• Event Title:
• Date and time:
• Venue (exact location):
• Expected speakers and topics to be discussed:
• Contact details in case of public queries:


ONLINE ADVOCACY: #JuanaSays (March 1-31) – First initiated by PCW in 2015, Juana Says is a daily dose of inspirational quotes of Filipino women from different fields or profession. Personalities who will be invited to share their inspiring words include heads of government agencies, private corporations/companies, celebrities and artists, women from various sectors (e.g. rural, IP, Moro, youth, formal employment, entrepreneurs), among others.     Everyone in encouraged to visit, like and share PCW’s official social media accounts (Facebook and Twitter) to participate in this online advocacy.


2018 CINE JUANA FILM FESTIVAL – Using arts (through film) to showcase and celebrate women’s empowerment and the various role that Filipino women play in the society is the main objective of the Cine Juana Film Festival. Launched in December 2015 during the 18-Day Campaign to End Violence Against Women (VAW), the first Cine Juana Film Festival was opened to the public for free at the NCCA Auditorium in Intramuros, Manila. It showcased films that deal with the issue of VAW, followed by an open forum with the movie producers/artists and PCW representatives per film showing. This year, the Film Development Council of the Philippines is organizing the CineJuana Film Festival, featuring films celebrating women’s strength, power and resiliency which will happen on March 26-28 at Cinematheque Centre Manila.

Here’s lineup of films and screening schedule. To reserve seats, kindly email cinematheque@fdcp.ph.

March 26Cinematheque Centre Manila
Kalaw Avenue, Ermita, Manila
1:00 PMAng Tag Araw ni Twinkle
3:00 PMAno ang Kulay ng mga Nakalimutang Pangarap
March 27Cinematheque Centre Manila
Kalaw Avenue, Ermita, Manila
1:00 PMInsiang
3:00 PMLauriana
March 28Cinematheque Centre Manila
Kalaw Avenue, Ermita, Manila
1:00 PMBacao
3:00 PMSonata

Agencies and LGUs may also organize their own film showing, provided that their respective GAD Focal Point systems were able to screen the films to ensure that featured films tackle women’s empowerment, gender equality, or issues confronting women in the marginalized and vulnerable sectors.


CCP’s READATHON AND PEEK-A-BOOK EXHIBIT. The Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) is holding “readathon”, a gathering of women playwrights, which features dramatic readings, workshops for women playwrights and talks on writing for the stage on March 23-24. The CCP is likewise holding an art exhibit featuring the works and books of 12 all-women, all-Filipino illustrators for children on March 24 at the Pasilyo Edades Hallway, 4th floor CCP Building, Roxas Boulevard, Pasay City. For more information, contact Ms. Marivic Santos of the CCP Training and Development Division.


PURPLE THURSDAYS. The activity encourages women and girls as well as advocate of women’s rights to wear purple or  purple accessories or accents like button pins, scarves, wristbands, or ribbons to join the call to advance women’s rights and gender equality, to break gender stereotypes, to stop gender-based violence and discrimination against women.



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