BEYOND BUDGET
(Part I)
Assalamu alaikum wa Raḥmatullahi wa Barakatuh.
I am immensely proud of our country for successfully hosting the first-ever ministerial-level International Conference on Women, Peace, and Security (ICWPS) last week, from Oct. 28 to 30, 2024. With 80 United Nations (UN) member states in attendance, this historic event commemorated the 24th anniversary of UN Security Council Resolution 1325. Themed “Forging Collaboration and Convergence for Advancing Women, Peace, and Security,” the conference marked the Philippines’ leading role in promoting peace and security across the Asia-Pacific region.
As the first Muslim Filipina Budget Secretary and the designated spokesperson of the Conference, I find the gathering extra meaningful as it ignites hope for a future where gender equality is no longer a mere aspiration but the norm.
We are fortunate to have a leader, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. (PBBM), who stands strong as an ally to this end. He consistently directs the national government to empower women and amplify their voices. Having four female Secretaries in his Cabinet, myself included, reflects our strides in breaking barriers and guaranteeing women are part of the decision-making processes. In fact, the Philippines leads East and Southeast Asia in women’s representation in government among UN member states according to the 2024 Women’s Power Index by the Council on Foreign Relations.
True to the administration’s commitment to empowering women, no less than First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos warmly welcomed over 600 delegates during the Conference’s opening ceremonies. In her remarks, she expressed the country’s delight to host the ICWPS—a first in Southeast Asia—and emphasized its importance in assessing “how far we have all come in our countries’ implementation of [WPS] agenda.”
Building on this momentum, UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed spoke about the historical significance of the Philippines hosting the Conference. She said, “the true measure of our efforts unfolds in places far from the halls of the United Nations, in the lived realities of women in conflict zones across the world.” Stressing the urgent need to shift priorities, she called to move away from military investments toward empowering women peacebuilders, expanding spaces for civil society, and strengthening the roles of women human rights defenders.
PH Progress on WPS
On that note, I had the honor to report that we have ensured that the global imperative of advancing WPS initiatives did not fall on deaf ears as the Philippines has long championed women’s empowerment.
Our Women’s Budget policy, introduced in 1995, directs agencies to allocate at least five percent of their budget for gender initiatives. This is strengthened by the 2009 Magna Carta on Women, which also provides for the protection of women during disasters and recognizes their role in peacebuilding.
For 2025, our budget will support key women empowerment initiatives such as the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, which offers additional support to pregnant and lactating mothers; the Pondo sa Pagbabago at Pag-asenso Program, designed to enhance women’s economic opportunities; the People’s Survival Fund that addresses women’s needs during climate crises and disasters; and the PAMANA or the PAyapa at MAsaganang PamayaNAn Program, which strengthens peacebuilding initiatives, reconstruction, and development in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.
Apart from these, I also shared that we are the first Asian country to adopt a National Action Plan on WPS in 2010 and one of two ASEAN countries among the 103 states that have one. Our fourth iteration underscores the government’s commitment to collaborate with civil society in ensuring meaningful impacts on women’s lives, especially those in conflict-affected and vulnerable areas.
These are just some of our women empowerment initiatives that I am confident will lead to equality and peace that will fuel economic development and prosperity, aligned with our Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028.
Pasay Declaration
One of the highlights of the first day of the ICWPS is the adoption of the Pasay Declaration on WPS which reaffirms member states’ commitment to ensuring women’s rights are protected and their challenges addressed in the best possible manner.
We nevertheless recognize that the road to sustainable gender equality, peace, and security is a long one. I fully support PCW Chair Ermelita Valdeavilla that our “actions should follow our commitments and words.” In alignment, I join Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo in his call to address intersecting challenges “by integrating gender-responsive approaches to climate action, ensuring sustainable funding, and promoting women's leadership in climate resilience and disaster.” Sen. Loren Legarda echoed this, highlighting the Declaration’s recognition of the “interconnectedness of security, climate, and gender equality.”
Beyond budget, the member states’ active participation and productive discussion highlighted our shared commitment to the WPS agenda. On our part, the government is steadfast in its commitment to fostering an enabling environment for women’s empowerment, critical to achieving peace and development in our Bagong Pilipinas.
Next week, we’ll dive into the key discussions and milestones from the rest of the conference’s activities. We’ve only touched on day one, and there’s so much more ahead in our path toward peace, equality, and empowerment.
(Amenah F. Pangandaman is the Secretary of the Department of Budget and Management.)