Philippines prepares to host Asia-Pacific Women and Economy Summit in 2015 In 1996, The Women Leaders Network (WLN) of APEC was founded in Manila, Philippines, as an informal, dynamic network which brings together women leaders from all sectors, public, private, academia, civil society, indigenous, rural and women in technology, to provide policy recommendations to APEC continue reading : Philippines prepares to host Asia-Pacific Women and Economy Summit in 2015

Philippines and Canada Hold Bilateral Ministers’ Meeting on Women’s Economic Empowerment Last September 7, Canada-Philippines bilateral ministers’ meeting, where PCW Chairperson Remedios Rikken presented the Philippine Experience in Empowering Women Small and Medium Enterprises with the GREAT Women Project being the banner program. They were joined by GREAT Women Project Manager Luvy Villanueva, Department of continue reading : Philippines and Canada Hold Bilateral Ministers’ Meeting on Women’s Economic Empowerment

PCW launches GADtimpala 2013 The search is on for the most outstanding gender-responsive government agency at the national level as the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) launches the first “GADtimpala Awards.” “GADtimpala 2013” aims to recognize the outstanding achievement or performance of government agencies in upholding the rights of women through mainstreaming gender equality and continue reading : PCW launches GADtimpala 2013

GREAT Women Project represents Philippines in global launch of knowledge gateway for WEE GREAT Women Project Manager Luzviminda Villanueva of the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) represented the Philippines in the global launch of an online platform and knowledge gateway for advancing women’s economic empowerment, during a side event of the 68th UN General Assembly continue reading : GREAT Women Project represents Philippines in global launch of knowledge gateway for WEE

Muslim women are now free to wear ‘hijabs’ in schools, gov’t institutions – CHR The alleged discrimination against Muslim women is nearly over as the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) has issued an advisory allowing them to wear headscarves in schools, universities and other learning institutions. In the CHR Advisory number 2013-002 issued on August continue reading : Muslim women are now free to wear ‘hijabs’ in schools, gov’t institutions – CHR

GREAT Women Project Hosts National Forum on Women’s Economic Empowerment The Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) is hosting the National Women’s Economic Empowerment (WEE) Forum on September 19-20 at the Crowne Plaza Manila Galleria Hotel in Ortigas, Quezon City. The National WEE Forum is a two-day activity showcasing the results and outcomes of the Gender continue reading : GREAT Women Project Hosts National Forum on Women’s Economic Empowerment

PCW presents WPLA for the 16th Congress The Philippine Commission on Women (PCW), the lead agency for women empowerment and gender equality, presented the Women’s Priority Legislative Agenda (WPLA) for the 16th Congress on September 11 at the Sulo Riviera Hotel in Quezon City. PCW Executive Director Emmeline Verzosa discussed the priority legislative measures that continue reading : PCW presents WPLA for the 16th Congress

PCW trains first batch of CHED Technical Advisers on GAD The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) will soon be equipped with Gender and Development (GAD) experts through series of training conducted by the lead agency for women. Spearheaded by the Technical Services Division (TSD), the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) honed 22 CHED and Gender continue reading : PCW trains first batch of CHED Technical Advisers on GAD

PCW to present WPLA for the 16th Congress The Philippine Commission on Women (PCW), the lead agency for women’s empowerment and gender equality is set to present the Women’s Priority Legislative Agenda (WPLA) for the 16th Congress, on September 11, 2013 at the Sulo Riviera Hotel in Quezon City. The WPLA seeks to repeal discriminatory continue reading : PCW to present WPLA for the 16th Congress

LCEs and lawmakers pledge full support on gender equality LCEs and lawmakers commit their full support on women empowerment and gender equality during the first Executive Session on Gender and Development on August 27, 2013 at La Breza Hotel, Quezon City. (Left to right:Jenny Elmaco of PCW-AECID; Malungon, Saragani Vice Mayor Erwin Asgapo; Camarines Sur continue reading : LCEs and lawmakers pledge full support on gender equality

First executive session on GAD held LCEs strengthened commitment on Women Empowerment and Gender Equality The Philippine Commission on Women (PCW), in partnership with the Agencia Española de Cooperacion Internacional para el Desarollo (AECID), conducted the first executive session on Gender and Development (GAD) on August 27, 2013 at La Breza Hotel, Quezon City. 25 continue reading : First executive session on GAD held

Cong. Leni Robredo to grace 1st Executive Session on GAD for LCE Camarines Sur 3rd district Representative Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo will grace the first Executive Session on Gender and Development (GAD) for Local Chief Executives (LCE) on August 27, 2013 at La Breza Hotel, Mother Ignacia, Quezon City. Robredo, the widow of late Department of continue reading : Cong. Leni Robredo to grace 1st Executive Session on GAD for LCE

PCW statement on Meralco’s pioneering of linewomen training The Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) commends the Manila Electric Company (Meralco)’s move to break their 110-year self-confessed gender insensitivity by pioneering a training program of linewomen. In a statement, Meralco Senior Vice President Ramon Segismundo said this paradigm shift challenges the gender assumption that utility industries are continue reading : PCW statement on Meralco’s pioneering of linewomen training

Women in Rice Farming Ms. Rebecca Baylosis of the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) discusses the roles, functions and advocacies of the agency before the participants of the first “Women in Rice Farming” Open Dialogue and Exhibit on August 8, 2013 at International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) Headquarters at Los Baños, Laguna.

PCW, IRRI and DA join hands to promote Women in Agriculture The Philippine Commission on Women (PCW), in partnership with the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) and the Department of Agriculture (DA), will hold the first “Women in Rice Farming” Open Dialogue and Exhibit on August 8, 2013 at IRRI headquarters in Los Baños, Laguna. continue reading : PCW, IRRI and DA join hands to promote Women in Agriculture

Commission on Women expects LGUS to be more gender-responsive with the issuance of new circular Ronavelle Amen of Pavia, Iloilo produces home-style salty and sugar-coated peanuts, peanut spread and peanut butter in her hometown. Before, she just earns small profit in her business but with the assistance of the local government in Pavia she is continue reading : Commission on Women expects LGUS to be more gender-responsive with the issuance of new circular

Business Clinic for Momtrepreneurs of Bongabong, Oriental Mindoro Held Bongabong, June 8, 2013 –Momtrepreneurs, together with Barangay Health (BHW) and Day Care Workers, and members of Rural Improvement Club (RIC), attended a two-day Business Clinic and Product Development Seminar conducted by the PCW-AECID project in partnership with the Center for Strategic Reforms of the Philippines continue reading : Business Clinic for Momtrepreneurs of Bongabong, Oriental Mindoro Held

Palace issues circular on gov’t adoption of gender equality guides for media Government media policies should be gender fair and government programs should promote gender mainstreaming. This was the call of the P-Noy administration as it issued Memorandum Circular No. 48, on May 30, signed by Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa, Jr., directing all concerned government continue reading : Palace issues circular on gov’t adoption of gender equality guides for media

Strengthening the GAD Focal Point System Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) Executive Director Emmeline L. Verzosa (in white, holding a microphone) discusses the important roles of GAD Focal Point System members during the 2013 GAD Focal Point System Assembly held on April 18-19. Among the these are guaranteeing that GAD projects/programs/activities are in line with continue reading : Strengthening the GAD Focal Point System

PHL gets intl praise for pact on violence against women, girls The Philippines received praise from the international community for the key role it played in a historic global agreement to eliminate violence against women and girls. Philippine delegation members had held constructive discussions for two weeks on “Agreed Conclusions” that brand violence against women as continue reading : PHL gets intl praise for pact on violence against women, girls

The Brand GREAT Women Built The ECHOsi Foundation’s partnership with the Philippine Commission on Women in launching the ‘Great Women Brand’ pushes forward a new direction in women economic empowerment The Philippines may very well be on the rise towards becoming Asia’s new economic tiger, but it does not come without its set of challenges-especially continue reading : The Brand GREAT Women Built

Cebu eyed for women empowerment initiative CEBU, Philippines – The Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) is eyeing replicating in Cebu and other places in the Philippines a project that brought together in Manila young women leaders and experts in different fields to strengthen women’s participation in addressing issues that affect them. Organized in time for continue reading : Cebu eyed for women empowerment initiative

Empowered Young Women Leaders Stand Up to Address Gender and Development Issues and Let their Voices Be Heard MANILA-March 21, 2013 – Empowered young women leaders from Albay, Aklan, Iloilo, Oriental Mindoro, Sarangani and Surigao del Norte, together with national leaders from Youth Vote Philippines, Pinoy Erasmus Mundus and Ayala Young Leaders Alliance, converged in continue reading : Empowered Young Women Leaders Stand Up to Address Gender and Development Issues and Let their Voices Be Heard

PCW, MTRCB conduct gender sensitivity seminar for ABS-CBN The Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) and the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) conducted on March 22 a Gender and Development (GAD) Seminar for ABS-CBN directors and business unit heads. “The PCW and MTRCB are here to help you maintain a healthy public perception,” continue reading : PCW, MTRCB conduct gender sensitivity seminar for ABS-CBN

Philippine efforts to curb VAW lauded in UN event –Philippine Commission on Women The Philippines is viewed as leader in terms of responding to violence against women and girls (VAWG) during the 57th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (UNCSW57) which took place at the United Nations Headquarters in New York from continue reading : Philippine efforts to curb VAW lauded in UN event –Philippine Commission on Women

Gender Equality Committee launches guides for gender fair media In a bid to address women’s issues and concerns in the news and entertainment media, the Gender Equality Committee, led by the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) and the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW), launched three documents called for by R.A 9710 or the Magna Carta continue reading : Gender Equality Committee launches guides for gender fair media

Great women also come in bottles In every office you will find a woman selling everything. It is the woman’s way of coping with the economic needs of her family. MANILA, Philippines – Life was peanuts for Ronavelle Amen, but it was never easy. Her childhood in Iloilo is what she describes as “simple.” Her father was continue reading : Great women also come in bottles

NAPC YS Statement of Support for RPRH Law, Calling a Stop to Misinformation We, the Youth and Students Sectoral Council of the National Anti-Povery Commission assembled by virtue of Social Reform and Poverty Alleviation Act of 1998 (RA 8425), representing youth and students organizations from all over the country reiterate our united stand in support continue reading : NAPC YS Statement of Support for RPRH Law, Calling a Stop to Misinformation

RH law implementing rules clarifies gender sensitive provision of health services For many women and families, the long wait is finally over. The Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Law was finally passed on December 21, 2012 after a “long and contentious battle” in Congress. Last March 15, 2013, its Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) was continue reading : RH law implementing rules clarifies gender sensitive provision of health services

57th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) Executive Director Emmeline L. Verzosa (left) and PCW Policy Development and Advocacy Division Chief Nharleen S. Millar (right) meet with Ambassador Libran N. Cabactulan of the Permanent Mission of the Republic of the Philippines to the United Nations (UN) during continue reading : 57th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women

Call for Nominations for CEDAW Expert The Philippine Commission on Women is pleased to invite government, women’s groups, and civil society organizations to submit your nominations an expert in the Committee on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) for the term 2015–2018. The deadline for submission of acceptance of nominations and continue reading : Call for Nominations for CEDAW Expert

Call for Nominations for United Nations Bodies The Department of Foreign Affairs has requested for nominations of suitable and qualified applicants to  Expert Positions in the United Nations. I. Standby Team of Mediation Experts for the period of January 2011-January 2012. The Department of Political Affairs of the United Nations established a Mediation Support Unit to provide operational support to the UN and UN-supported continue reading : Call for Nominations for United Nations Bodies

Commission on Women, MTRCB partner to advance gender concerns in GMA7 Sexuality is healthy but sexualization is not. In TV programs and films, critical attention should be given to the treatment of language, sexual and gender issues, and violence. These were some of the highlighted messages during Gender Sensitivity Seminar for GMA7 on March 10, continue reading : Commission on Women, MTRCB partner to advance gender concerns in GMA7

Muslim women leadership issues discussed in Women’s Day Forum The Philippine Commission on Women (PCW), in partnership with the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF), conducted a Women’s Day Forum on March 8. The discussions centered on the 2013 Women’s Month theme “Kababaihan: Gabay sa Pagtahak sa Tuwid continue reading : Muslim women leadership issues discussed in Women’s Day Forum

PCW Statement on the 2013 International Women’s Day Today, we join the rest of the world in celebrating the International Day of Women. This year, the Philippines has adopted the theme “Kababaihan: Gabay sa Pagtahak sa Tuwid na Daan” to give the Filipino women due respect and recognition in helping the P-Noy administration tread the continue reading : PCW Statement on the 2013 International Women’s Day

Empowered women entrepreneurs What is your passion? “Coffee!” Chit Juan exclaimed.  She eats, drinks, breathes, and thinks coffee.  This fixation, whether raw, ground, roasted or powdered, has taken Chit to many places, meeting and bonding with other women of the same like. However, at a recent women’s convention held in China, Jeannie Javelosa and Reena continue reading : Empowered women entrepreneurs

P4.5M Common Service Facility to boost Bula bamboo industry BULA, Camarines Sur — The town’s bamboo industry has received a major boost with the inauguration last February 13 at Barangay Pawili, here of the Common Service Facility (CSF), worth around P4.5 million pesos. The CSF is designed toimprove the efficiency of processing of raw bamboo continue reading : P4.5M Common Service Facility to boost Bula bamboo industry

Great Women Brand Launched With Media The Philippine Commission on Women-GREAT Women Project and the ECHOsi Foundation jointly introduced the Great Women Brand and its product line to national media. The Great Women Brand Media Launch, held last February 21 at Milky Way Café in Makati City, presented the Brand which is a distinct line continue reading : Great Women Brand Launched With Media

Philippine Commission on Women, ECHOSI Foundation partner for  women microentrepreneurs The Philippine Commission on Women-GREAT Women Project and the ECHOsi Foundation (Enabling Communities with Hope and Opportunities Sustainable Initiatives), the development arm of green retailer ECHOstore Sustainable Lifestyle are partners on a social enterprise approach to grow sustainable women-led livelihoods and economically empower women. The continue reading : Philippine Commission on Women, ECHOSI Foundation partner for women microentrepreneurs

PCW lauds P-Noy’s record number of women appointees in top posts In support of P-Noy’s campaign for “tuwid na daan” (straight path), the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) has adopted the theme “Kababaihan: Gabay sa Pagtahak sa Tuwid na Daan” for this year’s Women’s Month Celebration to recognize women’s contributions to and active involvement in continue reading : PCW lauds P-Noy’s record number of women appointees in top posts