DAVAO CITY – The Visayas-Mindanao leg of the Report-back Forum on the United Nations (UN) Commission on the Status of Women (UN CSW63) held on Friday brought together some 120 women from key sectors in the government, private and civil society.

Organized by the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW), the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the Ateneo de Davao University (ADDU), the forum covered discussion on Beijing Platform for Action 25^th Anniversary (BPfA +25) Philippine Progress Report.

In presenting the rationale of the activity, DSWD Undersecretary Luzviminda C. Ilagan said that the event was aimed at sharing the highlights of the Philippine Delegation from national government agencies, civil society organizations and other relevant stakeholders.

The forum also presented the major outcome of the UN CSW63 and gathered support for the implementation of agreed conclusions of CSW63 as well as discussed preparations for the UN CSW64 in 2020 that would focus on review and appraisal of the implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platforms for action on its 25^th Anniversary.

In presenting the overview of the UN CSW63, PCW Executive Director Emmeline L. Versoza said that the New York Conference centered on the theme regarding social protection systems, access to public services, and sustainable infrastructure for gender equality and empowerment of women and girls.

Among the topics tackled during the report-back forum was on Inclusive Quality Education and Lifelong Learning—Key for Gender Equality and Empowerment of Women and Promotion of Universal Social Protection for Women and Girls that was discussed by Atty. Carmelita Yadao-Sison, officer-in-charge of the Office of the Executive Director of UniFAST of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED).

Anita E. Baleda, chief of GAD Specialist, Policy Development, Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation Division (PDPMED) of PCW shared thoughts on a discussion called the “Silver Lining” that dealt on Social Protection and Empowerment of Aging Women while DSWD Usec. Luzviminda Ilagan shared the successes of 4Ps (Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program) implementation in discussing Gender-Responsive Social Protection in ASEAN:  Regional Action for equality, sustainability and inclusive growth.  

There was a topic on Advancing Gender Equality and Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights: The Role of National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) that was discussed by Atty. Leah C. Tanodra-Armamento, commissioner of the Commission on Human Rights.

As the Philippines ranks among the signatory of the Beijing Platform for Action, organizers of the Report-Back forum on UN Women Conference integrated the highlights of the BPfA +25 Philippine Progress Report 2014-2019, and the priorities for Strengthening National Gender Statistics in 2020-2025 together with the top five priorities of BPfA implementation.  (PIA XI/ JMDA)