‘Feel safe to speak up’ – Marcos on International Women’s Day

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. (FILE PHOTO)

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. urged Filipinos on Friday to make sure that women feel safe to speak up, underscoring the Philippines’ openness and empathy to women’s experiences.

“I enjoin every Filipino and Filipina to embrace their civic and moral obligation to make sure that every Juana feels free and safe to use her voice with courage and compassion. Likewise, it is important that we safeguard the gains we have achieved toward equality, inclusivity, and empowerment so we can fully harness our country’s immeasurable potential,” Marcos said on International Women’s Day, March 8.

Marked for the first time by the United Nations in 1975, International Women’s Day is a global event honoring women’s social, economic, cultural, and political achievements.

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“Let us, therefore, take up this responsibility and accelerate the pace of creating a truly gender-responsive populace under the banner of a Bagong Pilipinas. Mabuhay ang bawat Filipina!” added Marcos.

According to Marcos, Women’s Month is a reminder that women have come far, but there is still much to be done for women, especially their protection.

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“This annual commemoration is also a salient reminder of the paths yet uncharted, especially for the protection of women in the marginalized communities. Knowing this, it is imperative that conscious efforts are consistently being taken to ensure that every Filipina has equal opportunities and is actively engaged in nation-building,” said Marcos.