The Employees’ Compensation Commission (ECC) gladly attended the 2024 International Women’s Day (IWD) Celebration, themed “From Investing in Women to Including Them: Women from All Walks of Life Take Center Stage.” Held on March 8, 2024 at the SM Aura Premier, Taguig City, this year’s IWD Celebration, led by the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW), UN Women Philippines, and SM Supermalls brought together women and men leaders and advocates from the diplomatic corps, United Nations agencies, national government, financial institutions, and global and local entrepreneurs to discuss strategies for enhancing women’s roles in decision-making, business, and public service.
The event underscored the importance of inclusive development and highlighted the need for holistic investment in women across all sectors of society. There were panel discussions on a) Championing Women Empowerment: A Global Perspective; b) Empowering Communities through Gender-Responsive Budgeting; c) Bridging the Gap: Technology and Women Empowerment in Business; and d) A Double-Edged Sword – Navigating the Benefits and Challenges of Technology.
PCW OIC Atty. Khay Ann C. Magundayao-Borlado emphasized the importance of gender-responsive budgeting and its effective implementation and utilization to truly invest in women and achieve equality, including the submission of annual GAD Plans and Budget (GPBs) and GAD Accomplishment Reports.
UN Women Philippines Country Programme Coordinator shared that the Philippines will be chairing the UN Commission on the Status of Women 68th Session and that the event is an opportunity for all GAD Focal Point System (GFPS) to better understand and appreciate the key role that investments and resources play in transforming the lives of women and girls.
Senator Loren Legarda, the keynote speaker, highlighted the importance of funding and implementing laws and policies on women. She added that it is time for us to provide more opportunities for women in education, the workplace, entrepreneurship, rural development, governance, and leadership roles because the goal is to empower more women to achieve financial independence despite challenges that hinder their access to equal opportunities in employment and financial stability.
President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. expressed his support for the IWD celebration through a video message.
ECC Executive Director Kaima Via B. Velasquez underscored the significance of the event, saying, “The theme of this year’s International Women’s Day is a powerful reminder that investing in women is only the beginning—we must also ensure their inclusion in all areas of society. At ECC, we are committed to creating opportunities for women’s growth and supporting policies that empower women to take center stage.”
ECC has gender-sensitive programs that promote women’s welfare in the workplace, including initiatives that provide benefits and support for female workers affected by work-related injuries or illnesses.
For more information on ECC’s gender-related initiatives and its support of the GAD agenda, please visit https://ecc.gov.ph/category/about-ecc/gad-corner/ or contact [email protected]