NCRFW spearheads 26th anniversary celebration of CEDAW in RP
04 September, MANILA - The National Commission on the Role of Filipino Women (NCRFW) on Tuesday spearheaded the 26th anniversary of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) in the Philippines by celebrating the achievements of Filipino women that helped shaped the women's agenda globally.
To commemorate the meaningful event, NCRFW paid tribute to seven Filipino women leaders whose painstaking efforts contribute to the advancement of the rights of women worldwide. "These Filipino women leaders demonstrated how gender equality policies in the United Nations can transform the deprived situation of women worldwide. This success and the legacy they built can inspire other Filipinas to continue working towards gender equality," Chairperson Myrna T. Yao said.
Their stories are chronicled in a book "Shaping the Women’s Global Agenda: Filipino Women in the United Nations" which the NCRFW launched during the celebration at the Philippine Senate. The book features the lives of Senators Helena Z Benitez and Leticia Ramos-Shahani, Ambassador Rosario Gonzales Manalo and Dr. Patricia B. Licuanan who all led the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) over the past decades. Influential Filipina - Ambassador Rosario Gonzales- Manalo, Professor Aurora Javate de Dios, Ms. Teresita Quintos Deles and the late Justice Irene R. Cortes are also featured in the book.
"NCRFW believes that the book can be a potent source of inspiration to Filipino women around the world to keep the passion and the spirit of women’s empowerment and gender equality alive," Chairperson Yao added.
During the event the NCRFW also awarded the winners of the CEDAW Songwriting Contest with the winning entry to be played in all CEDAW-related advocacy activities and events.
Chairperson Yao noted that the artistry and ingenuity of Filipinos are demonstrated in the songwriting competition for CEDAW as 30 entries vied for the coveted title.
Pangarap ng Kababaihan, a song composed by Ms. Rivah-Anne N. Singson with the help of Ms. Joyzel P. Lectura (co-composer and lyricist) and Ms. La-Rainne Abad Sarmiento (lyricist) was chosen as the winning song. The song captures women's rights espoused by CEDAW.
The finalists include Babaeng Malaya by Mr. Danilo F. Fabella, Himig Ko’y Pakinggan by Mr. Athley B. Glori, Free by Ms. Jerolen V. Malonzo and Tama Na, Tigilan Na by Mr. Grant Dominic R. Zurbito.
Joining the celebration are various government agencies that supported the gender and development (GAD) agenda, members of the 14th Congress, UN representatives, members of the diplomatic corps, non-government organizations and members of the media.
CEDAW is the first and only international treaty that comprehensively addresses women's human rights within civil, political, economic, social, cultural and family life. The Philippines signed the Convention on July 17, 1980 and ratified it on July 19, 1981. It entered into force on September 4, 1981.
For inquiries, please contact
Ms. Anette E. Baleda (0917-8074743) and/or
Ms. Louie A. Belmonte (0917-6080486)