PH celebrates 30 years of Filipino women in uniformed service, launches National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security for the next 10 years
“Barriers are meant to be broken, and stereotypes are meant to be shattered.”
These are the inspiring words of the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) Executive Director and Officer-in-Charge Atty. Kristine Rosary Yuzon-Chaves when she gave her opening remarks during the 30th anniversary celebration of women in uniformed service with the theme, “Pagpunla. Paghabi. Pagyabong” held last December 12 in partnership with UN Women Philippines.
“Tonight is not just about celebrating past accomplishments; it’s about charting a course for the future. May this celebration serve as a catalyst, igniting the flames of inspiration in all of us to continue championing gender equality and ensuring that every woman in state uniformed services has the opportunity and resources to serve her country with dignity and honor,” she said.
Atty. Yuzon-Chaves noted that the 30-year journey began with the enactment of the Women in Development and Nation Building Act (Republic Act No. 7192), which opened doors for women to serve in uniformed capacities, notably in the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
“The Law was enacted as Filipino women have proven their indispensable role and capabilities in development and nation-building since time immemorial. Thirty years of service, we continue to recognize the invaluable role of women in peacekeeping and conflict prevention, not only in the country but also globally,” Department of National Defense (DND) Undersecretary Irineo Espino said in his message of support delivered on behalf of DND Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr.
“The statistics speak volumes—795 female officers, 3,777 women-soldiers, including six battalion commanders, making a profound impact in the Army. As we revel in these remarkable achievements, let us not lose sight of the importance of creating more spaces for women in the security sector,” Atty. Yuzon-Chaves added.
Representing Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Atty. Benjamin Abalos Jr., DILG Undersecretary Atty. Margarita Gutierrez agreed that these figures are a resounding testament to Filipinas’ capabilities in helping make our nation peaceful, safe, and prosperous because women, like men, are also willing to lay down everything to serve and protect the Filipino people.
“That being said, I call on everyone to renew our commitment to making our uniformed service even stronger, more equitable, and more just for all the brave heroes and heroines who have served this great nation. It is our collective responsibility to break down the barriers for all of us and for the generations to come. We must ensure that women service members can have fulfilling careers and reach their highest potential,” the DILG undersecretary stated.
Usec. Gutierrez further stressed that the 30th anniversary of women’s integration into the uniformed service is a reminder that our nation is only stronger against all its adversaries and our people are safer from all the barriers. Hence, she is confident that the country can now usher in a safer, more peaceful, and gender-sensitive Bagong Pilipinas.
For his part, Usec. Espino said that as an institution, the DND will ensure fundamental equality between men and women regarding human rights and empowerment and continue advancing the welfare and career opportunities of women in uniformed service.
“Tonight, on this momentous occasion, let us honor the history of the advancement of women’s rights that led us to our celebration today. Together, let us envision a future where gender equality is not merely a campaign anymore but a reality that everyone lives in. Let us build a future where gender discrimination no longer holds a trace, a future where women live without limitations, and a future where everybody has the opportunity to contribute to the collective progress and security of our country,” Usec. Espino concluded.
Aside from the DND and DILG, heads and representatives from the Presidential Communications Office (PCO), Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Philippine Air Force (PAF), Philippine Army (PA), Philippine Navy (PN), and the Philippine National Police (PNP) attended the anniversary celebration.
UN Women congratulates the Philippines on its Women, Peace and Security milestones
As the PCW’s partner in spearheading the milestone event, UN Women Policy Advisor on Governance and Peace and Security for Asia and the Pacific Norul Mohamed Rashid expressed her optimism that it will reinforce the reputation of the Philippines as a champion for the involvement of women in peace and security in the region and globally.
“UN Women is privileged to be part of this commemoration on the 30th anniversary of women in uniformed service. We would like to congratulate the Philippines for achieving this remarkable milestone in the history of the country’s efforts to pursue greater gender equality based from a landmark legislation: the Women in Development and Nation Building Act,” Ms. Rashid said in her welcome remarks read by Ma Rosalyn Mesina, Country Programme Coordinator of UN Women Philippines.
She added that the landmark legislation has led to achievements in policy, programming, and mechanisms established to promote and realize women’s empowerment and gender equality. RA 7192, an act promoting the integration of women as full and equal partners of men in development and nation-building and for other purposes, was signed into law on February 12, 1992.
The UN Women Policy Advisor also shared during the fellowship night that their agency is working with the national police in Asia and the Pacific, including the Philippines, to advance gender-responsive community-oriented policing as well as to bring communities and law enforcement officers together as partners to address security risks through dialogues and joint decision making.
“Women’s leadership and representation in policing, decision and policy-making, and operations can be a forced multiplier in the security sector. Women officers have been found to be less likely to use excessive force and more likely to acknowledge the importance of community-oriented policing approaches,” Ms. Rashid said.
PCW announces launch of new National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security
On behalf of the National Steering Committee on Women, Peace and Security (WPS), Atty. Yuzon-Chaves announced the launch of the fourth-generation Philippine National Action Plan on Women, Peace, and Security (NAPWPS 2023-2033) on the day before the 30th anniversary celebration of women in uniformed service.
“The National Action Plan on Women, Peace, and Security reaffirms the Philippines’ dedication to upholding women’s rights, advocating for their participation in peace processes and strengthening gender-based programs within justice and security agencies,” Atty. Yuzon-Chaves declared.
As a forward-looking 10-year plan, the NAPWPS aims to anticipate the complexities of conflict and its implementation by protecting and addressing new and emerging issues. By 2033, it envisions the Philippines, where women, in all their diverse and intersecting identities, actively shape an inclusive, just, and sustainable peace and security landscape.
According to Atty. Yuzon-Chaves, the iteration of the Philippines’ WPS Agenda, highlights the importance of a strengthened collaboration between the government and civil society, multi-level implementation at the national and local levels, the inclusion of emerging issues such as digital peacekeeping and cybersecurity, and the introduction of a comprehensive Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning System (MEALS) as a framework for measuring and enhancing the impact of programs/projects.
The NAPWPS is guided by two primary outcomes or substantive pillars based on the United Nations Security Council Resolutions (UNSCR) 1325 and 1820: (1) empowerment and participation and (2) protection and prevention. Its two supportive pillars, (1) promotion and mainstreaming and (2) monitoring, evaluation, accountability, and learning, serve as governance-specific mechanisms and considerations that facilitate achieving the outcomes outlined in the substantive pillars.
Ms. Rashid said that UN Women is honored to be part of the launch of the NAPWPS, which she considered “a plan for the people,” emphasizing its importance, particularly in the Southeast Asia region where women’s participation in law enforcement is lacking.
“Today, we celebrate all of you as agents of change who can also influence how the National Action Plan takes form and shape in the spaces where you work over the next ten years,” she concluded.
Back in 2010, the Philippines made history as the first country in Southeast Asia to launch a NAPWPS. In 2014, refinements were made to the document, resulting in the amended 2014-2016 NAPWPS. Taking off from the findings of the study on the implementation of the previous National Action Plans, the NAPWPS 2017-2022 adopted a broader framing of addressing the situation of women in armed conflict and recognizing their contributions to peacebuilding.
The launch of the fourth generation NAPWPS on December 11 coincided not just with the 30th anniversary celebration of women in uniformed service but with the national 18-day Campaign to End Violence Against Women (VAW) spearheaded by PCW from November 25 to December 12 of every year.
PCO encourages women’s leadership and the public’s participation in peace and security
While high-ranking male officials have predominantly led the peace process, PCO Secretary Atty. Cheloy E. Velicaria–Garafil emphasized that it is high time for women to be given opportunities for more substantive participation.
“The vision of the 2023 NAPWPS, in support of UNSCR Nos. 1325 and 1820, extends beyond merely including women in peace processes. Instead, it expands women’s leadership roles in peace processes, empowering them to lead and make decisions that impact the lives and communities,” the Keynote Speaker said.
Secretary Garafil also called on everyone to have a collective voice that will deliver the message to ensure safe spaces and workplaces where women officers can take on a leadership path they would want to traverse.
“As we pave the pathway for more women in the uniformed services, we need to collectively come together to be each other’s support system in a system where women may have been very invisible,” Secretary Garafil said.
In addition, the PCO Secretary mentioned that it would be beneficial if peace and security became a new pillar or dimension of the Global Gender Gap Index (GGGI) Report, where the Philippines ranked 16th worldwide out of 146 countries. The GGGI benchmarks the current state of gender parity across four key dimensions: (1) Economic Participation and Opportunity, (2) Educational Attainment, (3) Health and Survival, and (4) Political Empowerment.
Moreover, Secretary Garafil assured that the PCO, the lead communications arm of the government, can help disseminate information, educate the public, and engage more women and youth at the grassroots level to take redress and be involved in the WPS-related initiatives of the government.
“With the help of our attached agencies as well as the government-owned broadcast network also attached to PCO, we can work together and enhance public consciousness regarding the contributions of women in peace and security, examine and protect their vulnerabilities in peace and security concerns, and further create opportunities for women’s meaningful participation and leadership in peace and security processes, both formally and informally,” she stated.
Secretary Garafil ended her keynote address with an assurance that the PCO shall be a steadfast partner in reinforcing the President’s pledge for international commitments on promoting gender equality and peace and security.
Philippine government recognizes pioneering Filipino women in uniformed service
Among the highlights of the anniversary celebration and fellowship night was the recognition of pioneering women in uniformed service in the Philippines, such as Police Brigadier General Portia B. Manalad (the first female police general in the PNP), Brigadier General Ramona Go (the first woman general in the PA), and Captain Luzviminda Camacho (the first female commodore in the PN).
In her acceptance speech, PBGen Manalad said the anniversary celebration is a dream come true that she had long been waiting for and a historical milestone for all women in uniformed service. She thanked the PCW and UN Women for being partners and a strong force in empowering women in the Philippines.
“On behalf of my fellow officers present here today, who are celebrating our 30th anniversary in military and police service, maraming, maraming salamat po. We are looking forward to celebrate another 30 years, and we are recognizing that women are equally capable to lead and empowered to change the world for a better state. Gone are the days when women were considered secondary citizens. We are the living proof that women can do great things,” PBGen Manalad declared.
