“This year is an opportunity to accelerate progress.”

Senator Loren Legarda said this as the nation celebrates National Women’s Month as she calls on all sectors of society, both public and private, to commit to lasting change and decisive action to ensure every Filipino women can thrive in society—free from violence, discrimination and systemic barriers.

“This is a time for courage,” said Legarda, author of the Magna Carta of Women, Anti-Violence Against Women and Children Act, Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act and its expanded version.

“2025 marks the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, the most progressive blueprint for women’s empowerment. This framework has expanded access to essential services, strengthened legal protections, and reshaped the conversation around gender equality,” Legarda said.

“Here in the Philippines, we must not only sustain our efforts but push harder for real, measurable outcomes that uplift women in every part of the nation,” she stressed.

Legarda also stressed the need to enhance the implementation of existing laws particularly aimed at addressing gender-based violence, workplace discrimination and economic inequality.

The lawmaker, a known champion for women’s rights, explained that while policies play a crucial role, progress is still driven by action, investment, enforcement and accountability.

"When we support women, when we protect their rights, invest in their education, and create equal economic opportunities, we build a stronger and more resilient Philippines," Legarda said.

"This is not just a matter of fairness. This is about shaping a society where every woman and girl has the chance to succeed, lead, and make a meaningful impact,” the lawmaker stressed.

“And we all know the immense contributions that women bring to our communities and our country,” said the senator, who also authored and sponsored the “Kalusugan at Nutrisyon ng Mag Nanay Act,” and the 105-Day Expanded Maternity Leave Law.

The Filipino women, she said, possess the tools, the knowledge, and the frameworks necessary to transform aspirations into tangible outcomes.

“What we need now is to unify our collective strength and move with purpose. Let us make this Women's Month a turning point through action, building a nation where every Filipina is empowered, protected, and given the opportunity to contribute and lead,” she stressed.