UN, gov’t agencies hold events, provide services for 2016 Women’s Month

MANILA, Philippines – To observe the 2016 Women’s Month, United Nations and government agencies are promoting women’s inclusion and gender equality.

This year’s theme for the international observance is “Planet 50-50 by 2030: Step It Up for Gender Equality.” 

Highlighting opportunities for women, the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women) and the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) have several activities slated for the month.

Special services for women 

Are you a museum junkie? Maybe you need to get a clearance document from the Office of the Ombudsman? Then take advantage of some special services from the National Museum and the Office of the Ombudsman.

For the entire month, women will have free entrance to the National Museum in the following locations:

• Manila
• Kiangan
• Kabayan
• Angono-Binangonan Petroglyph site
• Tabaco
• Butuan

The Office of the Ombudsman will also give a 50% discount on clearance application fees for walk-in female clients. 

Women’s inclusion in national agenda

On March 16, gender and development advocates will come together at the Quirino Grandstand to celebrate the country’s gains in removing the gender gap and promoting women’s empowerment. 

The PCW hopes this will be an opportunity for women to share which issues they feel must be prioritized during the 2016 elections. 

They also invited individuals and organizations to register to join the occasion. 

Safe cities for women

UN Women and the Quezon City government will present its data on violence against women and girls (VAWG), while also holding a lighting ceremony at the Quezon City Memorial Circle on March 7. 

The presentation will discuss the VAWG problem in the country, and will include the kinds of street harassment women endure while moving in cities. 

This is part of the UN Women’s Safe Cities Global Initiative which tackles street harassment.

Quezon City, along with others around the world, committed to raising awareness of the problem of street harassment and sexual violence against women in public spaces. – Rappler.com

Background photo from the Philippine Commission on Women’s Facebook page.