On Friday, Oct. 18, I had the privilege to attend the Girls’ Rights Forum co-organized by Spark! Philippines, the US Embassy, and the local government of Quezon City. Themed “Transforming the Future,” the event celebrated Girls Month 2024 and the International Day of the Girl Child, highlighting the importance of empowering young women to take charge of their futures.
The forum brought together leaders, advocates, and students to discuss issues surrounding gender equality, education, and leadership. It was inspiring to see the next generation of girls, full of potential, engage with experienced leaders and role models who encouraged them to embrace their uniqueness and rise above societal expectations.
No one could have delivered a more powerful keynote address than Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Amenah “Mina” F. Pangandaman. With her passionate delivery, Secretary Mina drew from her own journey—marked by perseverance and resilience as she overcame numerous barriers on her path to leadership.
She bravely embarked on her career in government, starting as part of Senate President Edgardo Angara’s research team. From there, she rose to become assistant secretary at the DBM, then moved on to serve as assistant governor at the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas. Now, she stands proud as the first female Muslim secretary of the DBM.
Even after hearing the budget secretary speak on many occasions and accompanying her to numerous engagements, I’m always inspired when she takes the stage. She has a unique ability to make complex issues relatable, and her unwavering devotion to empowering women never fails to move me. She speaks not only from a place of authority but also with empathy and understanding.
Secretary Mina was not only inspiration but also technical in her speech as she underscored the significance of gender equality in policy-making.
Both her statement and the gathering reminded me of the unique challenges and pressures girls face today.
From insecurity about appearance to doubts about their abilities, many young women struggle with issues that hold them back. The forum was a space for reflection, learning, and empowerment—urging us to lift each other up rather than compete or compare.
Too often, girls feel pressured to conform to unrealistic beauty standards or worry about their skin color, weight, or appearance. We see this in schools, online, and even in our communities, where insecurities can grow.
But these insecurities shouldn’t define us. As women, we should empower one another and celebrate our differences, recognizing that each of us has our own strengths. It is with these differences that make us unique, and by embracing them, we can truly transform each other’s lives.
One of the key messages Secretary Mina shared was that every woman holds the potential to change the world. I wholeheartedly agree and believe this potential is shaped not by perfection but by how we respond to challenges.
We are not defined by our mistakes or what others think of us. Instead, we are defined by how we rise after every fall, how we embrace our flaws, and how we move forward with courage and determination.
To every girl: Stop comparing yourself to others, because your journey is uniquely yours. You are not in competition with anyone but yourself, and your uniqueness is your greatest strength.
Finding your passion is the first step toward realizing your potential. Along the way, remember that failure is part of the process. Don’t be afraid to fail, because every failure teaches us something valuable. We grow stronger and wiser through our imperfections. What matters is not how perfect we are, but how we get back up when we stumble.
I also want to emphasize the critical role of parents in nurturing their children’s dreams and passions. Parents should guide and support their daughters from a place of love, helping them discover their strengths and encouraging them to pursue their passions without fear. With this support, girls can truly flourish and become the women they are meant to be.
Courage is another trait we must nurture in young women. But courage isn’t something that can be easily taught; it has to be modeled for others to be inspired.
All the women I know working at the DBM take this responsibility seriously, especially Secretary Mina. Every day, we strive to show courage through our work and leadership, hoping to inspire other women to step up, take charge, and lead their own journeys.
Ultimately, the message is clear: We are not defined by our mistakes or struggles. We are shaped by how we respond to life’s challenges, how we support one another, and how we rise despite the odds.
The future is in the hands of every girl who dares to dream big, and I believe girls today are ready to transform not only their futures but the future of this nation.
There is Hope!