Legarda to Share Phl Experience in Closing Gender Gap at Global Forum in Brussels

Senator Loren Legarda is President Benigno Aquino III’s representative at the Women in Parliaments – Global Forum Annual Summit and will receive, on behalf of the Filipino people, the prestigious Award for Leadership on Closing the Gender Gap (Winner by Region: Southeast Asia) at awarding ceremonies that will be held on November 27, 2013 at the European Parliament in Brussels, Belgium.

On the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women (celebrated every 25th of November), Legarda will be in Brussels to share with women parliamentarians the Philippine experience in fighting for women’s rights and closing gender gap.

“Foremost, we wish to share our initiatives on giving Filipino women equal opportunities in all sectors of society, upholding women’s rights, and eliminating violence against women and girls,” she said.

“We also wish to send to other countries the Filipino nation’s deep gratitude for all they have given to us in support of our recovery efforts in the wake of Typhoon Yolanda. With their help, we can more quickly rebuild our communities,” she added.

The Philippines has a multitude of laws for the protection of women and Legarda authored and sponsored many of these including the Anti-Violence Against Women and Children Act (RA 9262); the Magna Carta of Women (RA 9710); the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act (RA 9208) and its strengthened version (RA 10364); and the Domestic Workers Act (RA 10361).

“Our message is clear: we must provide women the needed support to have the confidence to lead efforts to improve our communities and take initiatives that will contribute to the nation’s progress as well as to global development,” said Legarda.

The Senator will also meet with EU parliamentarians and EU Commissioners on the sidelines of the Conference and join the Filipino community in Brussels for the Bayanihan for Typhoon Yolanda event.