PCW Advances Women’s Legislative Agenda to Senate

^{Philippine Commission on Women formally turns over the Women’s Priority Legislative Agenda (WPLA) to the Senate, marking a key step in advancing gender-responsive legislation.}

With a vision to ensure that upcoming laws and policies reflect the lived realities and respond to the needs of all Filipino women, the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW), led by Chairperson Ermelita V. Valdeavilla, officially endorsed the Women’s Priority Legislative Agenda (WPLA) to the Senate on November 27, 2025, in Pasay City. This milestone highlights the Commission’s commitment to advancing gender-responsive legislation that empowers women across all sectors and communities.

^{‘Justice and equality are women’s birthrights.’
PCW Chairperson Valdeavilla opened the activity with this powerful reminder, setting the tone for a day of collective commitment to women’s empowerment.}

Chairperson Valdeavilla said, “As we turn over these proposed measures, we also entrust to the hands of our esteemed lawmakers the hopes and dreams of Filipino women and girls—their stories of courage, their daily struggles, and their vision of a just and inclusive society, especially for the women of tomorrow.”  She further conveyed the message from His Excellency President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr, where he underscored that the WPLA ensures that the rights of women and girls are embedded in the very structures of governance, particularly those that shape education, labor, health, justice, and representation.

^{Chair Valdeavilla conveying the message of the President.}

The WPLA was formally received by Atty. Sheela D. Villano-Millera, Chairperson of the Senate GAD Focal Point System, who stated, “We will endorse this to the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality, for it to be translated into meaningful, actionable, and impactful legislation.”

^{Accepting the WPLA on behalf of the Senate, Atty. Villano-Millera affirmed that it will serve as a vital reference for future legislative actions.}

The Senate’s acceptance reinforces ongoing efforts to translate women’s perspectives and sectoral needs into concrete, gender-responsive laws. It also strengthens a collective vision for policies that uphold dignity, expand opportunities, and ensure equitable outcomes for all Filipino women across communities and sectors.

Kapehan ng Kasangga

It was followed by a panel discussion moderated by PCW Executive Director Nharleen Santos-Millar. The session brought together experts and advocates, including Atty. Marie Hazel E. Lavitoria of SALIGAN, Ms. Jelen C. Paclarin of the Women’s Legal and Human Rights Bureau, Ms. Zheanne Aeson Dantis from the Office of Senator Pia S. Cayetano, and PCW Deputy Executive Director for Operations Anita E. Baleda. The discussion covered opportunities, obstacles and strategies to advance the enactment of the women’s legislative agenda. 

Panelists highlighted the challenges in moving gender-responsive bills forward. Atty. Lavitoria noted that many proposals, even after clearing committee deliberations, struggle to gain priority on the Senate floor. Ms. Dantis emphasized the power of effective messaging, showing how framing legislation around women empowerment and equality can secure broader support.

^{Panel members during the ‘Kapehan ng Kasangga’ discussion, reflecting on the challenges and the steps required to turn the WPLA into meaningful laws and concrete action.}

Ms. Baleda stressed the importance of clarifying misconceptions, reminding stakeholders that gender-responsive laws are pro-family and pro-children, strengthening families rather than opposing them. Ms. Paclarin urged providing platforms for organizations to demonstrate the real-world impact of these policies and called for mechanisms to ensure that the mandated five percent Gender and Development budget is fully utilized to benefit women.

Reflecting on the discussion, ED Santos-Millar acknowledged the challenges in advancing gender-responsive legislation, but reaffirmed the Commission’s determination to pursue these efforts with commitment and collaboration. The session highlighted that clear communication and sustained collective action are essential to ensuring that women’s priorities remain at the center of policymaking.

United Voices for Women’s Rights

As the Kapehan progressed, partners and advocates delivered messages of encouragement, reinforcing their commitment to collaborate with the PCW in advancing gender-responsive laws. Atty. Siavash Rahbari of the International Development Law Organization and Ms. Sigrid Jan Sibug of UN Women Philippines highlighted the importance of translating the WPLA into concrete results and ensuring that legislation is informed by the lived realities of women and girls. They reaffirmed their readiness to support the Commission in pushing the agenda forward and emphasized that equality in the law is foundational to broader development goals.

^{Advocates and partners share their messages of commitment to help move the WPLA forward.}

Ms. Rosalie Francisco, Vice President of the Pambansang Koalisyon ng Kababaihan sa Kanayunan (PKKK), emphasized the critical role of ongoing engagement with lawmakers, noting, “Kami po ay patuloy na makikipag-ugnayan sa inyo para suportahan ang mga panukalang batas para sa kababaihan. Ang PCW ay inaasahan naming patuloy na susuporta at patuloy na mag-uugnay ng mga CSOs at women legislators para siguruhing ang mga batas ay mula sa kababaihan at para sa kababaihan.”

The collective messages underscored that advancing women’s rights is a shared responsibility, requiring collaboration between government, civil society, and advocates to ensure legislation truly reflects the needs and priorities of women across all communities.

Concluding the meaningful activity, PCW Deputy Executive Director for Operations Anita E. Baleda emphasized the ongoing commitment to advancing gender equality and reminded participants that the work ahead carries the voices, experiences, and aspirations of all Filipino women. 

^{PCW Deputy Executive Director for Operations Baleda concludes the activity with a call to carry forward the voices and aspirations of Filipino women.}

This pivotal endorsement of WPLA to the Senate underscored that advancing women’s rights is a shared journey, calling on the lawmakers to place women’s priorities at the center of decision-making and build a future where everyone thrives.