MANILA, 8 March 2021 — The Climate Change Commission (CCC) calls on the public to build a more gender-equal world in celebration of International Women’s Day.
 
Celebrated annually during March 8, International Women's Day offers an opportunity to reflect on progress made, to call for change and to celebrate acts of courage and determination by ordinary women who have played an extraordinary role in their communities. The Day also marks a call to action to accelerate gender equality.
 
With the theme, “ChoosetoChallenge,” this year’s celebration aims to challenge and seek out inequality, and celebrate the efforts of women and girls around the world in shaping a more equal future and recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
 
Women’s full and equal participation in all facets of society is a fundamental human right. Yet, around the world, from politics to entertainment to the workplace, women and girls are largely underrepresented.
 
Especially at this time, women mostly stand at the front lines of the COVID-19 crisis, as health care workers, caregivers, innovators, community organizers and as some of the most exemplary and effective national leaders in combating the pandemic. The crisis has highlighted both the centrality of their contributions and the disproportionate burdens that women carry.
 
On a positive note, the Philippines remains one of the top countries in terms of closing the gender gap, according to the Global Gender Gap Report 2020 of the World Economic Forum.
 
The report shows that the Philippines has closed 78% of its overall gender gap, garnering a score of 0.781. With this, it ranked 16th out of 153 countries with the narrowest gap between men and women.
 
The CCC urges to seek out and celebrate achievements of both men and women, big or small, and collectively help create an inclusive world for all. Diversity must be integrated into the formulation and implementation of policies and programs in all spheres and at all stages of pandemic response and recovery.
 
The Commission also noted that building a sustainable future for all means leaving no one behind - including women and girls. They must be heard, valued and celebrated throughout society to reflect their perspectives and choices for their future and that of the advancement of humanity.