#WEcanbeEquALL: PCW calls to double down on gender equality, partners with multi-stakeholders to kick off National Women’s Month Celebration
Women and Everyone (WE) can be EquALL!
This is the call of the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW), national entity for gender equality and women empowerment, as it marked the beginning of the month-long celebration of Women’s Month on March 1, 2024 at the SM North EDSA Skydome, which was supported by its partners from the United Nations, SM Supermalls, and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).
The PCW, headed by its Officer-in-Charge Atty. Khay Ann Magundayao-Borlado, kicked off the National Women’s Month Celebration with a series of activities such as the conduct of the second nationwide Safe Spaces Act (SSA) Orientation, the illumination of the SM North EDSA LED tunnel as part of its Purple Your Icon campaign, and the launch of the Walk in Her Shoes Exhibit.
In her opening message during the SSA Orientation, Atty. Borlado shared that this year’s sub-theme of the Women’s Month “Lipunang Patas sa Bagong Pilipinas: Kakayahan ng Kababaihan, Patutunayan!” calls for a Bagong Pilipinas, a thrust of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., where women are given equitable opportunities and not hindered by gender biases and discriminatory stereotypes.
“Kakayahan ng Kababaihan, Patutunayan: It aims to showcase and harness the full potential of women and girls in actively engaging in and benefitting from national growth and development. In order for women and girls to maximize their full potential, we, as duty bearers, have the obligation to ensure that public spaces like SM Supermalls are a safe space,” Atty. Borlado explained.
She commended SM for being an active partner of PCW in making public spaces such as their malls safe spaces for all regardless of gender and hopes that more private companies and individuals will follow their lead.
“Indeed, you are a trailblazer in the private sector, and we hope that other players and personalities will follow in raising the awareness and consciousness of their employees, tenants, and other stakeholders on how we can really make public spaces truly a safe space for every Juana and Juan,” Atty. Borlado added.
Ms. Jessica Bianca T. Sy, Assistant Vice President and Program Director of SM Prime Holdings, Inc. supports PCW’s call for gender equality and encourages her colleagues at SM to continue their commitment to create a welcoming environment in their malls and a more equitable world for all.
“Our continued collaboration with esteemed partners such as the Department of Labor and Employment and the Philippine Commission on Women including the United Nations underscores our dedication to creating a world where every woman feels not only safe but truly empowered,” she stated.
Ms. Sy also recognized that there are women systemic challenges that Filipino women continue to face today both in the workplace and in society. Nonetheless, by actively engaging with the public sector to educate their own women and their own people on the Safe Spaces Act, she said that SM remains committed to uphold the rights and dignity of women.
“At SM, our dedication to empowering women goes beyond mere rhetoric, it is ingrained in the very fabric of our organization. There is no more glass ceiling for women in SM and no barrier in supporting women-led businesses in our malls, showing how women can find success and growth with us,” Ms. Sy concluded.
Through SM Cares, the corporate social responsibility arm of SM Supermalls, SM further seeks to uplift women from all walks of life by providing them with access to education, healthcare, and economic opportunities, which is aligned with the “Lipunang Patas sa Bagong Pilipinas” that the PCW envisions for Filipino Women and Everyone.
Bawal Bastos sa Bagong Pilipinas: The Safe Spaces Act Orientation
The Safe Spaces Act (Republic Act No. 11313) supplements RA 7877 (or the Anti-Sexual Harassment Act of 1995) and provides mechanisms for the protection of both sexes against any form of gender-based sexual harassment (GBSH) in all kinds of spaces such as streets and public spaces, educational and training institutions, cyberspace, and workplaces. It was signed on April 17, 2019, was published on July 19, 2019, and finally took effect on August 3, 2019.
PCW, SM, and DOLE jointly conducted a nationwide orientation on SSA in October 2023 to a total of 7,614 participants who were taught to help eliminate GBSH against women in their homes, workplaces, and respective communities.
“Ngayong Marso, pinalalawak natin ang aming saklaw para isama ang mga mall tenants at pinalalalim ang aming pag-unawa kung paano itaguyod ang Safe Spaces Act, ngayon naman sa pakikitungo sa aming customers,” Engr. Junias M. Eusebio, Vice President for Mall Operations said.
The second Safe Spaces Act orientation recently conducted by the three partner agencies was another milestone and a record-breaking event, as it was attended by more than 10,000 SM mall employees, tenants, security guards, and janitorial personnel at the SM North EDSA Skydome and online across all over 85 SM malls nationwide.
“Kaya kami po ay nagpapasalamat sa SM for continuously organizing this learning session for you to better understand what GBSH is because just like in any other places, sa mga malls po puwedeng magkaroon o puwede po tayong makaranas o puwede po nating masaksihan ang isang sitwasyon kung saan mayroon pong GBSH. No exception. Kahit po sa mga opisina ng gobyerno, kahit po sa simbahan, puwede pong mangyari ang gender-based sexual harassment,” Atty. Benjo Santos M. Benavidez, Undersecretary for Workers’ Welfare and Protection Cluster of DOLE stated.
Usec. Benavidez, also the resource speaker for the two nationwide SSA Orientations, discussed all about SSA also known as Bawal Bastos Law, what constitutes GBSH and where it may be committed, what are considered public spaces, the penalties for committing GBSH, the zero-tolerance policy, as well as where can victims of GBSH in street and public spaces seek assistance. He even made his discussion interactive by asking the audience to participate in the online pre- and post-tests and by answering their questions during the open forum, which was joined in by more male participants.
“Ang Women’s Month ay hindi lamang isang selebrasyon ng kababaihan; ito rin ay isang pagkakataon para bigyang-diin at importansya ang mga issue ukol sa gender at women’s rights pati na rin ang paghimok na palawigin pa ang Safe Spaces, gender equality, at ang pagiging ingkusibo para sa lahat sa bawat antas ng ating lipunan,” Engr. Eusebio reminded.
The participation of more than 10,000 attendees, according to Engr. Liza B. Silerio, Vice President of the Corporate Compliance Group, has empowered and enabled them to appreciate the Safe Spaces Act; thus, she is hopeful that they can share all the learnings with their colleagues, co-workers, friends, and relatives because “Bawal bastos sa SM!” and “Bawal bastos sa Bagong Pilipinas!”
Purple is Power: Purple Your Icon Campaign and #PurpleFridays Movement
As part of the 2024 Women’s Month celebration, the PCW also launched Purple Your Icon, an advocacy initiative that encourages everyone to light up or decorate their offices, landmarks, and places in purple.
“Why purple? The color purple has a special connection to the fight for women’s rights. Though not used by all groups, it holds special meaning for many. In the past, purple was associated with royalty and power, things women were often denied. Feminist groups, like the British women’s suffrage rights activists and the American National Woman’s Party, chose purple to show their own strength and demand equal rights. While different groups within the broader movement might have used varying color schemes, the symbolic use of purple by prominent organizations cemented its connection to the feminist advocacy for equality and empowerment, a legacy that continues to resonate today,” Atty. Borlado explained during the illumination of the SM North EDSA LED tunnel also held on March 1.
The PCW expressed its gratitude to SM for illuminating the facade of its six malls in purple, showcasing the celebration’s theme at its nine malls, and featuring the advocacy in its directories across all 85 locations. Aside from SM, many government agencies and private entities joined the campaign through illuminated buildings, landmarks, and even personal spaces including the Malacanang Palace, National Museum, Rizal Park, Cultural Center of the Philippines, and the Philippine International Convention Center, among others.
“Today, as we kick off the month-long celebration of women, we stand together in this Purple Your Icon advocacy to illuminate not just buildings and landmarks, but also the path towards a gender-equal Philippines. Adorning our surroundings this month serves not only as a beautiful tribute, but also as a powerful symbol. Purple signifies the spirit of women’s rights, highlighting the fight for equality and empowerment. It represents a future where limitations and stereotypes are transcended,” Atty. Borlado added.
Through this Purple Your Icon advocacy, the PCW hopes to spark conversations about women, champion their rights to carve their own path and be free from the constraints of societal expectations, and remind everyone that true progress lies in dismantling the root causes of gender inequality.
In addition, the PCW invites every Juana and Juan to join #PurpleFridays movement by wearing something purple every Friday of the month of March to stand alongside women and advocate for their rights.
Aside from its purple campaigns, the Women’s Commission will lead the International Women’s Day celebration on March 8 with the theme, “Investing in Equality toward Gender-Inclusive Prosperity”, which is anchored in the IWD theme, “Invest in women: Accelerate progress”. The focus for this event will be on addressing poverty and strengthening institutions and financing through a gender perspective.
Her Story Matters: The Walk in Her Shoes Exhibit
Capping off the National Women’s Month Celebration kickoff in the Philippines, the PCW partnered with UN Women, UN Gender Thematic Group (GTG), and SM Cares in launching the Walk in Her Shoes Exhibit at the SM North EDSA.
“Being the national entity for gender equality and women empowerment and the lead agency of the National Women’s Month Celebration and the 18-day Campaign to End Violence Against Women (VAW), the PCW advocates the importance of letting the voices of Filipino women be heard especially about the things that matter to them including personal experiences that may have involved a form of violence due to their identity as women,” Atty. Borlado stated.
The Commission on Women believes that in order for VAW to be eliminated, it should be first seen and understood from the perspective of women themselves; hence, women’s voices and priorities should take center stage at last.
“Women of today cannot wait any longer. Violence against them must end now. Otherwise, the cycle of hurt will continue to affect even the women of tomorrow thus, creating more stories of untold sorrow,” Atty. Borlado explained.
The PCW added that initiatives like the Walk in Her Shoes Exhibit can help raise awareness that VAW is not just a special concern nor a sole problem of women, rather, it is a universal concern.
Moreover, Atty. Borlado shared five roots and truths about VAW and emphasized the importance of ending this phenomenon as it is a barrier to gender equality: (1) VAW is an offshoot of gender bias, (2) VAW is violence against humans, (3) VAW is a social development issue, (4) VAW is a global health crisis, and (5) VAW is a culture that can start at home.
“Because VAW hurts not only women and girls, but also men and boys, and the society as a whole. Thus, every Juana and Juan must work hand in hand to help end VAW, to dig up the roots of pain and sorrow, to plant new seeds of healing and freedom, and to create a safe space that will encourage and empower women to speak up and stand up, not just for themselves but for the next generation of Juanas and Juans,” Atty. Borlado said.
She ended her speech with a powerful and inspiring message: “Like any other stories, her story matters too. And you will never know what a woman is going through until you walk in her shoes.”
Atty. Pearl Jayagan Turley, Assistant Vice President of the Corporate Compliance Group and Program Director for the Women’s Committee of SM Cares, echoed what Atty. Borlado said.
“Indeed, stories matter more so if they are about women. And the Filipino Women’s trials and struggles that are woven into the fabric of this Walk in Her Shoes Exhibit remind us of the diverse challenges that women face and the importance of standing in solidarity with them,” she said.
Walk in Her Shoes is an audio visual exhibit organized by the UN GTG featuring five stories of VAW victim-survivors including an Overseas Filipino Worker, a single mother, and a woman in armed conflict.
In conclusion, partners from the United Nations expressed their support for the PCW’s advocacy to end VAW and all forms of gender-based violence because they, too, believe that Women and Everyone can be equal and should work hand in hand to achieve a gender-equal society.
- “Women and girls represent half of the potential of a society. There is no society or there is no chance for any society in the world if it is not able to harness and develop this half of the potential that we have.” (Gustavo Gonzalez, Resident Coordinator of the United Nations Philippines)
- “If we want to go fast, we go alone. If we want to go far, we go together. Please, I invite all of us to ask ‘What more can I do?’” (Janelle Weissman, Head of Regional Partnerships and External Relations for the Asia and the Pacific Region of UN Women)
- “May this Women’s Month signify a turning point where we collectively invest in shaping a future where every woman, every girl is free, safe, and empowered.” (Dr. Leila Saiji Joudane, UNFPA Country Representative and Chair of the UN GTG)
Happy Women’s Month, Women and Everyone!
