QUEZON CITY (PIA) -- President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. expressed the country’s support for the promotion of women’s economic empowerment during the 17th East Asia Summit (EAS), along with other issues such as strengthening energy security and promoting volunteerism for sustainable development.
Meanwhile, in his arrival speech for his participation in the 29th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders’ Meeting, the President also said “The subject of climate change, the subject of supply chains, the subject of food supply, the subject of digitalization, the empowerment of women. These were some of the issues that were discussed. And it was a very useful and productive process because as I said, we have now a way forward for all of us members of APEC.”
The topic of women’s economic empowerment and the issue of greater inclusion of women in the regional economy are included and rank high in the agenda of APEC.
To inspire initiatives across APEC workstreams to promote gender equality and women’s economic empowerment, in 2019, APEC ministers endorsed the La Serena Roadmap for Women and Inclusive Growth. The roadmap advances action in the following key action areas: (1) Empowering women through access to capital and markets; (2) Strengthening women’s labor force participation; (3) Improving access of women to leadership positions in all levels of decision-making; (4) Support women’s education, training and skills development and access in a changing world of work; and (5) Advancing women’s economic empowerment through data collection and analysis.
The APEC Putrajaya Vision 2040, meanwhile, pledges the leaders of APEC to pursue “quality growth that brings disclosure of economic potential, benefits, greater health and wellbeing to all, including women.”
The Philippines also welcomes Canada’s continued support for ASEAN initiatives for the welfare of women such as the implementation of the ASEAN Regional Plan of Action on Women, Peace, and Security (WPS).
The initiatives aim to support the upskilling of women and empowering women entrepreneurship, particularly of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in ASEAN.
Reporting further about what he did during the APEC Summit, President Marcos said, “They now know me and they know what I’m about — we have discussed things. They know what the Philippine position is on several issues.”
“We have much to do to play our part in APEC and we will undertake all that so that we will contribute to the success of this region. The ultimate aspiration is for the APEC region, Asia-Pacific region to return to its old role as a driver of the global economy,” the President added. (ARB, PIA-CPSD)
