A representative from the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) has underscored the significance of integrating gender considerations into climate policies. Doing so, they emphasized, would contribute to fostering a fair, inclusive, and equitable shift towards a sustainable green economy.
MANILA – During the two-day Asia-Pacific Regional Consultation on the 68th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW68) in Bangkok, Thailand, held from February 6 to 7, PCO Undersecretary Cherbett Karen Maralit highlighted the Philippines’ commitment to integrating gender-responsive considerations into climate policies.
Maralit specifically referenced the country’s Climate Change Act, which adopts a gender-sensitive, pro-children, and pro-poor approach in the formulation and implementation of all climate change and renewable energy initiatives, plans, and programs.
She also emphasized the gender-sensitive nature of the People’s Survival Fund, the Philippines’ adaptation fund, which assesses the responsiveness of local projects to gender-specific vulnerabilities.
Maralit noted the significant role of women in establishing climate-resilient communities through the government’s Disaster Risk Resiliency Program.
Furthermore, she mentioned the recent signing of the 2024-2028 United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework between the Philippines and the United Nations. The framework aims to ensure a just transition to low-carbon, climate-resilient development, sustainable environmental and biodiversity management, and enhanced resilience to disasters and natural hazards for all individuals.
Maralit urged regional stakeholders to continue integrating gender-responsive considerations into policies at all levels, emphasizing the ongoing importance of addressing gender-differentiated impacts of climate change, particularly in livelihoods and health. She called for efforts to close existing gender gaps and mitigate the disproportionate impact of climate change on women and girls.
Filipino women in post pandemic recovery
Meanwhile, the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) has highlighted the significant role of Filipino women in the Philippines’ post-pandemic recovery.
Arsenia Crisilda Maxinne Pepino, NEDA Economic Development Specialist II, noted that amid the pandemic, approximately 62 percent of newly registered businesses were women-owned micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the country.
Pepino highlighted that women’s labor force participation increased to 56 percent from 51.2 percent in 2021 as lockdown measures were eased.
She emphasized that research indicates the Philippines ranked among the top countries with the highest number of female CEOs and women in senior management positions in 2020, underscoring women’s indispensable role in bolstering the Philippine economy.
However, Pepino stressed the need to reinforce women empowerment measures to address various forms of discrimination that contribute to women’s poverty.
She emphasized that despite advancements in economic progress, many women and girls continue to face poverty and marginalization. Women’s labor force participation saw a decline from its progress in 2022, and their employment rate remains lower than that of men, with women disproportionately burdened by unpaid care work.
Pepino noted that the Philippine Development Plan (PDP) 2023-2028 outlines strategies to tackle gendered poverty by enhancing women’s economic opportunities and addressing gender-based discrimination. These strategies include mainstreaming gender and green competencies to boost women’s income and strengthening social protection systems to mitigate risks for vulnerable groups.
Furthermore, policies aim to address labor market challenges such as mobility constraints, security issues, technological capabilities, and gender-based discrimination. Laws like the Telecommuting Act of 2018 provide women with alternative work arrangements, such as remote work options.
To address women’s unpaid care work, initiatives include enhancing daycare services for government employees’ children under five years old and advocating for legislation to incentivize unpaid care workers.
Pepino highlighted efforts by the Interagency Committee on Gender, Children, and Youth Statistics (IAC-GCYS) to estimate the value of unpaid care work and its potential contribution to the economy.
In conclusion, Pepino emphasized the collective effort needed from all stakeholders, regardless of gender, to achieve true gender equality and create a more equitable Philippines.
Gender-responsive budgeting
Meanwhile, Khay Ann Magundayao-Borlado, Officer-In-Charge of the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW), urged United Nations member-states to embrace gender-responsive budgeting as a crucial investment in the future, ensuring that “no one is left behind”.
Magundayao-Borlado emphasized that gender-responsive budgeting extends beyond mere fund allocation, encompassing the assurance that resources address diverse needs based on factors such as sex, gender, age, disability, and social status.
She stressed the importance of strengthening domestic resource mobilization for women and gender equality through a participatory and inclusive process, incorporating the voices and perspectives of those most affected into decision-making for sustainable development.
In the Philippines, she noted, laws such as the Republic Act 9710 (Magna Carta of Women Act) and Republic Act 7192 (Women in Development and Nation Building Act) mandate the allocation of 5 to 30 percent of official development assistance funds and a minimum of five percent of total budget appropriations to Gender and Development programs.
Magundayao-Borlado highlighted that in 2022, 24 percent of the budget of national government agencies was utilized for gender-responsive initiatives, including efforts to empower women and achieve gender equality, as well as the integration of gender-responsive elements into flagship programs.
She emphasized that addressing gender inequalities not only upholds women’s human rights but also serves as a critical step towards eradicating overall poverty.
Furthermore, she underscored the Philippines’ commitment to integrating gender equality and inclusivity into its human development and poverty reduction programs, citing the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, the country’s conditional cash transfer program, as an example.
Magundayao-Borlado emphasized that empowering women yields far-reaching benefits, positively impacting families, communities, and society as a whole.
Additionally, she called for enhanced international support and global multi-stakeholder partnerships, particularly for developing countries, highlighting that “the fight against women’s poverty requires collective global action, fostering a world where fiscal policies catalyze transformative change and equality”.
The Philippine delegation, which included representatives from the Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Budget and Management, and Climate Change Commission, received support from the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Philippine Embassy in Bangkok.
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