UN Women helps bring a rainbow to Metro Manila during Pride march

Date: Monday, July 15, 2019

The sun may not have been shining on the Metro Manila Pride March in Marikina City, but the horizon was nonetheless illuminated with bright rainbow flags and costumes celebrating the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and intersex (LGBTQI) community. Roughly 56,000 people took to the streets in the 29 June march to celebrate diversity of sexual expression and gender identity, and to rally for the rights of the LGBTQI community. This year’s theme was Resist Together, a call for advocates and supporters to fight discrimination against LGBTQI people.

Take Five: “It’s time for the Philippines to say, ‘MeToo!’”

Date: Wednesday, June 12, 2019

Maica Teves, Executive Director of SPARK! Philippines, was primarily focused on women’s economic empowerment until she teamed up with other organizations to create a Filipino version of the #MeToo campaign to address gender-based violence. Through collaboration with SPARK!, UN Women, Empower, and the Embassy of Sweden in Manila, the #RespetoNaman (Respect Me) campaign was born.

Bangsamoro Women’s Summit raises grass-roots women’s voices and pushes for women’s participation in peacebuilding

Date: Wednesday, April 3, 2019

On the heels of the swearing in of a new transitional authority for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), UN Women hosted an Inaugural Bangsamoro Autonomous Region Women’s Summit from 28-29 March in Davao, southern Philippines, bringing together over 100 grass-roots women and maintaining momentum for their full participation in the new government. The Summit produced a women’s agenda, which called for: spaces to ensure women’s needs are met in laws.

From where I stand: “That is what we all want: a peaceful life.”

Date: Wednesday, April 3, 2019

Narimbai Dimao, 48, is a mother and entrepreneur from Barangay Bulalo in the Bangsamoro area of the southern Philippines. She is a leader and active participant of UN Women’s programme to prevent violent extremism through women’s economic empowerment.

From where I stand: “We could be heroines, and we can create peace”

Date: Wednesday, April 3, 2019

Islamia N. Kamakan, 28, is a mother and new entrepreneur from the Bangsamoro region of the southern Philippines. Her family fled fighting in another village, walking three days without food, to live in the Buayan community.

From where I stand: “Thanks to the women’s determination, we brought peace to the community”

Date: Wednesday, April 3, 2019

Almira Maricor, 49, is a mother and entrepreneur from Orandang community in the Bangsamoro area of the southern Philippines. Almira, along with other women from Orandang, had the courage to mobilize the local government and successfully reduce conflict in their village.

Women in the Philippines raise their voices in the new BARMM to recognize women’s contribution to nation-building

Date: Friday, March 29, 2019

Over 100 women from various communities in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) gathered today in Davao City to call for women’s meaningful participation in the newly established political entity. The Inaugural Bangsamoro Women’s Summit, led by UN Women in collaboration with the governments of Norway, Australia and Canada, brings together women from the communities in the Bangsamoro.

When more women work, economies grow: European Union and UN Women partner to boost women’s economic rights and opportunities in Asia

Date: Friday, March 8, 2019

The European Union and UN Women jointly launched today a 3-year WeEmpower Asia programme to encourage the private sector to expand economic participation and business opportunities for women in seven Asian countries: China, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand and Viet Nam. Funded by the EU, UN Women will implement the €8 million programme aiming to integrate gender concerns into business practices in the region. WeEmpower Asia will promote dialogue among women’s groups and the public and private sector so as to enable a business environment that empowers women; provide skills training...

In the Philippines, UN Women is honoured by the Provincial Government of Maguindanao

Date: Thursday, February 28, 2019

On 12 February 2019, the Maguindanao Provincial Government honoured UN Women during the first-ever Araw ng Parangal ceremony (Recognition Day). This ceremony recognizes organizations that have significantly contributed to social development and peacebuilding efforts in the province...

“Don’t Tell Me How To Dress”: How a clothing exhibition is challenging the culture of victim-blaming in the Philippines

Date: Friday, February 22, 2019

This is what she was wearing that day —her usual corporate attire. This is what she was wearing that day —her school uniform. This is what she was wearing that day —baby clothes. These harrowing stories are among those on display in a touring exhibition in the Philippines, which aims to challenge the culture of victim-blaming and raise awareness of the need to end all forms...