Esteemed officials and organizers of this conference, honored guests, ladies and gentlemen, a pleasant morning to you all.

It is my distinct privilege to join you in this conference and share the experience of my country, the Philippines, on this very important issue of women and their role in forging a society that is peaceful and secure as well as a society that nurtures the welfare of the people.

As we all know, women and their role have always been relegated to the background of society. This was true in the past, and to a large extent, this is still true in the present. Women’s voices have largely been muted in public discourse, whether it be on political issues, labor issues, and a whole range of other issues that affect the general well-being of the public. This is particularly true on matters of peace and security, where discussions are mostly made among men and in consultations with men, as if the affairs of society did not involve women.

We all know of course that this is not so and should not be so, for the world is, by fact and circumstance, a world of men and women, plus all other creations therein. Our fate rests on the shoulders of both.

Fortunately, we are already moving towards a world where the contributions of women in decision-making and nation-building are increasingly being recognized. We see steps, big and small, to empower women and bring their voices to the mainstream, with the ultimate goal of bringing these into our institutions.

I believe that my country, the Philippines, has much to share in terms of experience in empowering women and harnessing their potential in nation-building. Allow me to share several facts:

$11.    Even in its early history, women played an important role in Philippine society. Women were part of the revolutionary movement against Spain and instrumental in terms of dramatic changes in Philippine society;

$12.    The Philippines granted its women the right to suffrage in 30 April 1937, way ahead of most of its counterparts in Asia and the world at the time;

$13.    The Philippines also produced two women presidents. One became beloved as an icon of democracy, Corazon Aquino;

$14.    There were 60 women Representatives (party-list not included) elected in the 16th Congress of the country (2013 National and Local Election), accounting for 26 percent of the total 234 Representatives of the Lower House;

$15.    In 2014, the Philippines ranked number nine (9) in the Global Gender Gap Index (Iceland, Finland, and Norway were the top three), the highest ranked country in Asia;

$16.    The Philippine Commission on Women (PCW), the primary policy-making and coordinating body on women and gender equality concerns, was first established in 07 January 1975 as the National Commission on the Role of Filipino Women (NCRFW);

$17.    The Philippines adopted the National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security (NAPWPS) in 2010, the first in Asia in response to UNSCR 1325- The National Action Plan was a product of a collaborative and consultative process involving many sector.

These are just a few highlights that I can share. Suffice it to say that women are very well represented in Philippine society and bureaucracy. However, what is most relevant to this present occasion is the fact that Filipino women have also become key players in the ongoing peace process in the Southern Philippines.

The country’s Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process, for example, is headed by a woman, Secretary Teresita Quintos-Deles, as well as the Chair for the peace panel, Prof. Miriam Coronel Ferrer. Their roles are consistent with the vision of the National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security.

A question may be asked how the Philippines was able to achieve this feat.

I personally think that there are several factors that come into play as to why the Philippines has been relatively successful in putting women into the mainstream.

First, the Philippines has historically been a matriarchal society, with women playing very important roles in planning and decision-making. The respect accorded to women is quite high, notwithstanding the fact that the country is still male-dominated. The struggle for equal recognition and opportunities did not however come on a silver platter. It was a product of hard work and constant reminder to society that half of the world is borne by women, and it can only be half as good without them.

Secondly, access to education has been a key enabler for our women to participate in the public sphere. On this point we are fortunate because we had no less than our national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal, encouraging our women to pursue their goal of obtaining education in order for them to be empowered and cease their blind submission to (then) colonial authorities.

In his famous letter to the women of Malolos (a province in the Philippines), Dr. Jose Rizal praised the women who had petitioned the Spanish government that they be allowed to study the Spanish language in school. Recognizing the Filipino women’s desire for education and their importance to society, he wrote them thus:

“…now that you have set an example to those who, like you, long to have their eyes opened and be delivered from servitude, new hopes are awakened in us and we now even dare to face adversity, because we have you for our allies and are confident of victory. No longer does the Filipina stand with her head bowed nor does she spend her time on her knees, because she is quickened by hope in the future; no longer will the mother contribute to keeping her daughter in darkness and bring her up in contempt and moral annihilation.”

Dr. Rizal wrote this in 1888. It is now 2015. Yet the same message rings true in our times, though the context and place could be different. It is important that the women in our society seek education for themselves, for it is with learning and knowledge that the eyes can see in clearer perspective, and for women to realize their full potential and contribute their share to society.

Yet women cannot fully succeed in this endeavor without the involvement of men. Dr. Rizal acknowledged this reality when he directed the attention of the women of Malolos to this fact. Hence, he also addressed the women thus:

“Let us be reasonable and open our eyes, especially you women, because you are first to influence the consciousness of man…The people cannot expect honor nor prosperity so long as they will educate their children in a wrong way, so long as the woman who guides the child in his steps is slavish and ignorant.”

It is important that women are able to make men realize the value of women in running the affairs of society. For example, the enactment of laws in support of gender equality and empowerment in the Philippines may be credited to a large measure to the enlightened views of its men in the legislature, as well as for the push given by tireless non-government organizations.

And this brings me to one very important point after everything has been said about the issue, which is the need to involve government on matters pertaining to women because, in the end, it is the government that will legislate and provide the necessary funding in support of the programs that will lead to the desired goals.

This is not to say that the Philippines has fully achieved its goals for its women. There are still gaps and concerns that need to be addressed, such as sustaining the gains of the past decades through continuous support from succeeding governments and civil society, and improving data gathering and analysis for planning, programming, monitoring and evaluating gender and development programs and projects, among others.

I think that the process of streamlining the role of women in society will continue to progress in the coming decades alongside the creation of greater awareness of its importance and benefits. We need people to continue talking about the issue, getting them involved, and getting them to support the cause of women for the greater good.

Civil society groups such as yours are instrumental in making these things happen. You know women’s issue very well because you are there at the grassroots, living life that has been set out for you even long before you were born. The challenge is how you can bring about the change that you want, knowing that you have the power and capacity to do so.

Yes, you can forge peace within your communities as you are as much a part of them as the others. Do connect with other groups, your society, your government, and find out how you can collaborate on bringing about the meaningful change that you hope for.

Ultimately, however, the true empowerment of women calls for them to educate the next generation of men (and children in general) on the value of women in society. Indeed, the true empowerment of women starts at home, in the way children are brought up and socialized into the world where women are given not only the appropriate honor and respect, but also the opportunity to exercise their power that come along with their acquired knowledge and intellect.

I wish you the best in all your endeavors.