The Embassy hosted a “Holi”-themed Women's Month celebration for Filipinos in India on 24 March.

 NEW DELHI, 24 March—The purple of Women’s Month harmonized with the rich color palette of India’s Holi Festival as the Philippine Embassy hosted a vibrant culminating program for Women’s Month.

In attendance were Filipino expatriates, especially those affiliated with the organizations Filipino India Community (FIC) and the Kapisanan ng mga Pinay na may Asawang Indiano sa Hindustan (Kapihan), their families, and guests from the diplomatic and local community.

The program was built around this year’s theme, "Lipunang Patas sa Bagong Pilipinas; Kakayahan ng Kababaihan, Patutunayan", that is, a Philippines where women are afforded equal opportunities and societal norms are free from gender-based biases and discriminatory stereotypes.

Dovetailing with this theme was the spirt of Holi, the Hindu festival of color celebrating, among others, th

e arrival of spring.

The proceedings kicked off with the ceremonial launch of the Embassy's Gender-and-Development (GAD) Corner within the Embassy Library. The area conforms to the Philippine Commission on Women’s (PCW) prescription for “a corner in the library or similar public spaces where GAD information is posted for general consumption”.  

Amb. Ignacio keynotes the dual celebration of Women’s Month and Holi Festival.

 The Embassy envisions the GAD Corner to serve as amplifying platform for its championing of gender issues, and for providing an apt space for discourse and study on these crucial themes. Additionally, the GAD Corner is seen as an avenue for artistic expression by the Filipino diaspora in India on GAD themes.

The main Women’s Month program followed at the Embassy grounds, with Ambassador Josel F. Ignacio keynoting. He emphasized the pivotal role of women in society, extolling the Philippines relative high standing in global gender equality surveys while also acknowledging persisting gaps. 

  Filipinos and their spouses affix their handprints to seal their pledge to support GAD Advocacies.

A highlight was the recital of public pledges by Filipino Community representatives and their spouses. selected women, men, and couples were asked to deliver, in their own words, public commitments to attaining GAD objectives. In homage to both Women’s Month and Holi, each symbolically sealed their pledge by affixed their respective handprints in their choice of colors on a blank canvass.

Holi-inspired revelry ensued. Steered by the Embassy Team, guests enjoyed and fostered fellowship via traditional Filipino games, the Holi tradition of water and colored powder (gulal) throwing, and dancing.

The double celebration concluded with a buffet of delightful Filipino dishes.

The celebration wrapped up a flurry of Embassy activities for the entire month, in keeping with its commitment to join hands with other government agencies and the entire Filipino nation on women’s issues and the furtherance of GAD objectives. END

The joint celebration of India’s Holi Festival added color and revelry to the Women’s Day Culminating Event.