Narrowing the Margin: PCW Unites Women and Everyone
to Empower the Marginalized Sectors
“Babae sa Lahat ng Sektor, Aangat ang Bukas sa Bagong Pilipinas”
This powerful sub-theme for the 2025 National Women’s Month Celebration (NWMC) is more than just words—it is empowerment in full action. The
Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) unites women and everyone in a collaborative movement to break barriers, create opportunities, and ensure that every Filipino woman and girl, across all sectors of society, occupies her rightful and equal place in the Bagong Pilipinas.
The 2025 NWMC Kick-off Activity, spearheaded by the PCW in partnership with SM Cares, ignited a transformative movement, drawing over 1,000 participants from various government agencies, private companies, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), civil society groups, and marginalized communities. This impressive turnout highlights the growing nationwide commitment to gender equality and women empowerment. It also serves as a testament to the collective power of women and everyone in working together to create a more inclusive society and a brighter future for all Filipinos, leaving no one behind.
“Marginalized groups are the reason why we are here in the government,” Ms. Nharleen Santos-Millar, Officer-in-Charge of the PCW Office of the Executive Director, declared in her opening remarks during the NWMC Kick-off Activity held at the Music Hall of SM Mall of Asia on March 5, 2025.
As defined by the Magna Carta of Women (Republic Act No. 9710), the marginalized sectors are those who belong to the basic, disadvantaged, or vulnerable groups. They mostly live in poverty and have little or no access to land and other resources, basic social and economic services, such as health care, education, water and sanitation, employment and livelihood opportunities, housing security, physical infrastructure, and the justice system.
“Every woman deserves safe and inclusive spaces, essential services, learning, equal voice, health, income, opportunities, and equal share in the fruits of development.” PCW Chairperson Ermelita V. Valdeavilla emphasized, as she unveiled the 2025 State of the Filipino Women Report.
In a comprehensive and insightful address, Chairperson Valdeavilla provided a detailed presentation of the current realities faced by women across the country as well as the ongoing efforts and proactive responses of the Philippine government to address these persistent issues and achieve true gender equality.
Chairperson Valdeavilla’s presentation outlines the strategies and initiatives implemented to address each gender challenge, serving as a crucial tool for policymakers, advocates, and stakeholders to guide future actions and strengthen their collective pursuit of gender equality and inclusive society.
CURRENT REALITIES GOVERNMENT RESPONSE
Women disproportionately bear the care burden Philippines nears completion of Care Economy Policy Framework with Oxfam and PCW
Women dominate Philippine SMEs, with 66% being women-owned and 62% of newly registered Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) businesses also owned by women. However, challenges like digitalization, funding, and multiple burdens hinder their progress. DTI empowers women entrepreneurs by boosting their access to capital, technology, and markets, while enhancing their skills and leadership
Livelihood programs of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) support returning women OFWs in starting their own businesses
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) supports women entrepreneurs with grants, business development, and job assistance
Men’s workforce participation (75.4%) significantly surpasses women’s (51.2%)
Both men and women have high employment rates (92.5% for men, 91.8% for women)
While female OFWs outnumber males, their average remittance (PhP 71,000) is significantly lower than male OFWs’ (PhP 166,000) DOLE enforces decent work standards and ensures compliance with women’s labor laws
The Philippines successfully advocated for the UN’s Global Compact for Migration in 2018
Philippine government agencies, such as the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), DSWD, and DOLE, actively protect the rights and interests of migrant workers and their families
While more women pursue higher education (57.89% in 2021-2022), the gender gap in STEM fields remains a significant challenge in the Philippines The Philippines is nearing gender parity in fields like engineering and computer science, with women comprising 48.33% of graduates
Women also lead in technical and vocational courses, making up 52.61% of graduates
Women’s life expectancy is up by four years This increase can be attributed to laws like The Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Act of 2012 (RPRH Act), Kalusugan at Nutrisyon ng Mag-Nanay Act, and Expanded Maternity Leave Law
Indigenous women face greater barriers accessing healthcare, education, economic opportunities, and markets DSWD’s 4Ps program has helped indigenous women access basic needs, education, healthcare, and maternal care
Senior women receive the same services as men These services include discounts on healthcare, utilities, and education, as well as social safety nets and employment assistance
Violence against women persists: 13% of women (15-49) experience physical violence, 4% sexual violence, and 9% report controlling partners. Alarmingly, only 34% seek help. The government actively implements laws like the Violence Against Women and their Children (VAWC) Act and Safe Spaces Act to combat violence against women, with VAW desks established in 94% of barangays as of 2023
Following the presentation of the State of the Filipino Women Report, Chairperson Valdeavilla expressed her heartfelt appreciation to women and everyone for their unbending faith and unbridled commitment to the agenda of gender equality and women empowerment, underscoring the need to continue to rise above and to not slow down, give in, nor give up.
“With the sub-theme, ‘Babae sa Lahat ng Sektor, Aangat ang Bukas sa Bagong Pilipinas,’ we renew and strengthen our resolve to uplift the status and well-being of women in every sector, especially the women in non-traditional occupations and marginalized communities,” Chairperson Valdeavilla declared.
The marginalized groups of women, as outlined in the Magna Carta of Women, include but are not limited to small farmers and rural workers, fisherfolk, urban poor, workers in the formal economy, workers in the informal economy, migrant workers, indigenous peoples, Moro, children, senior citizens, persons with disabilities, and solo parents.
For its part, SM Cares also demonstrated its unwavering commitment to women’s empowerment throughout the 2025 NWMC Kick-off Activity. Ms. Jessica Bianca Sy, Vice President and Head of Design, Innovation, and Strategy at SM Development Corporation, emphasized this in her opening remarks, stating that empowering women in communities is a vital aspect of SM Cares’ mission.
This sentiment was echoed by Atty. Pearl Jayagan Turley, Senior Assistant Vice President and Program Director of SM Cares for Women and Breastfeeding Mothers, stating, “We have no glass ceiling to break because women leaders have already occupied the pinnacle of success and leadership positions within our organization.” This powerful message underscores SM Cares’ dedication to the NWMC’s 2023-2028 recurring campaign theme, “WE for Gender Equality and Inclusive Society.”
