In the Philippines, National Women’s Month is celebrated every March to honor the remarkable contributions of Filipino women to society, history, and the development of the nation. The observance aims to raise awareness about gender equality and to highlight the importance of empowering women in various sectors of society. The theme of National Women’s Month changes annually, and it serves as a reminder of both the progress and challenges in achieving gender equality in the country. National Women’s Month in the Philippines was officially declared through Proclamation No. 224 s. 1998 by then-President Fidel V. Ramos. The month of March was chosen to coincide with the celebration of International Women’s Day on March 8, which has been observed globally since the early 20th century. The celebration is part of a broader movement to recognize and address the unique challenges women face in their personal, professional, and political lives.
This year’s theme, “WE for Gender Equality, Inclusive and Resilient Society”, reminds us of the immense contributions of women in our society and the importance of their equal representation in various fields. The 2025 National Women’s Month Celebration carries the sub-theme: “Babae sa Lahat ng Sektor, Aangat ang Bukas sa Bagong Pilipinas.” This reinforces the core objective of RA 9710, or the Magna Carta of Women, to empower women, promote gender equality, and ensure equitable access to resources and opportunities.
The Bureau organized and supported a range of events, including GADVocacy Walk, learning events, and social media campaigns to celebrate this year’s National Women’s Month.
March 10 – BMB Kick Off, Advocacy Walk, Health and Wellness Activity (101 F, 106 M)
March 19-20 – Building Resilience: A Learning Event on Biodiversity Conservation and Climate Change attended CCC, CSOs and DENR, SEDA Quezon City
March 21 – Learning Event: Improving Resilience of Women to Disasters, BMB Training Center
March 23-25 – The Role of Women in Biodiversity Conservation and Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Forum, Legazpi City
IMPROVING RESILIENCE OF WOMEN TO DISASTERS
“Today, we are here to explore how we can empower women, strengthen resilience, and ensure that voices and needs are integral to disaster planning and response efforts. This Learning Event supporting the Philippine Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (PBSAP), while primarily focused on biodiversity conservation, also addresses climate change and disaster risk particularly Targets 8, 11, and 23. By incorporating nature-based solutions, engaging communities, and strengthening policies and governance, we can reduce risks and enhance resilience, allowing different ecosystems to continue to provide vital services to both nature and people.”
Assistant Secretary of Biodiversity and concurrent Director of BMB, Marcial C. Amaro, Jr., emphasized that the National Women’s Month Celebration is more than a yearly tradition – it is a powerful call to action. It is an opportunity to recognize the vital role of women across all sectors and reaffirm our collective commitments to gender equality and women’s empowerment.
As part of the ongoing celebrations for National Women’s Month in the Philippines, a learning event was held focusing on enhancing the resilience of women to disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM). The event brought together BMB key officials and staff, and PCW Resource Pool, to discuss how women can play a critical role in disaster resilience. The event aimed to highlight the intersectionality between gender, vulnerability, and disaster risk and emphasized the importance of empowering women in disaster preparedness and response.
Women and Disaster: Ms. Josephine G. Banaag, Independent GAD Consultant, highlighted how disasters disproportionately affect women, especially in vulnerable communities. Key factors such as unequal access to resources, decision-making power, and social protections were discussed. Women often face greater challenges during and after disasters, including increased risks of gender-based violence, loss of livelihood, and limited access to post-disaster recovery resources, she added.
Increasing Women’s in DRR Through Biodiversity Conservation: The Subject Matter Expert, Ms. Aracelli B. Mercado, Chairperson, Save Sierra Madre Network Alliance (SSMNAI), discussed the significant, yet often under-appreciated, roles that women play in disaster resilience. The importance of integrating women’s voices in planning and decision-making processes for disaster management was emphasized.
Topics included understanding disaster risk reduction frameworks, creating local disaster risk reduction management plans, comprehensive development plan, comprehensive land use plan, and the role of women in recovery operations. The event also emphasized the importance of women’s participation in local disaster management councils and supporting the Philippine Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (PBSAP), while primarily focused on biodiversity conservation, also addresses climate change and disaster risk particularly targets 8, 11, 20, 23. By incorporating nature-based solutions, engaging communities, and strengthening policies and governance, we can reduce risks and enhance resilience, allowing different ecosystems to continue to provide vital services to both nature and people. Ms. Ara provided updates on the implementation of gender-sensitive policies on DRRM. The different plans and framework were discussed, with a focus on its provisions for gender mainstreaming. Key initiatives such as the establishment of Women and Children’s Desks in evacuation centers, ensuring that these spaces are safe and provide for specific needs, were highlighted.
National Women’s Month serves as a reminder of the ongoing struggle for gender equality and the need to continue advancing women’s rights in all sectors. While there have been notable achievements, significant challenges remain. The month-long celebration encourages individuals to reflect on how they can contribute to creating a more inclusive, equitable and resilient society for women. BMB recognizes these challenges, and as we move closer to realizing gender-equality in the future, let us strengthen our advocacy and reaffirm our commitment to contribute in building a “Bagong Pilipinas”, a nation where women have equitable opportunities, free from gender biases and discriminatory stereotypes.
Public Forum Highlights Women at the Forefront of Biodiversity Conservation and Disaster Risk Reduction
Legazpi City, Albay — In celebration of National Women’s Month, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources – Region V (DENR V), in partnership with the DENR-BMB Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) Project funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) through the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), held a public forum on the Role of Women in Biodiversity Conservation and Disaster Risk Reduction Management at Hotel Venezia on March 24, 2025.
The forum highlighted the vital role of women in biodiversity conservation and disaster risk reduction (DRR), emphasizing the importance of gender-inclusive environmental initiatives. The event brought together over 100 participants, with more than half being women, including representatives from Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Offices (PENRO), Provincial and Municipal Local Government Units (P/MLGUs), regional agencies, Nongovernmental Organizations (NGOs), People’s Organizations (POs), local communities, and the private sectors.
Keynote speakers and experts shared valuable insights during the forum. Prof. Yolda T. Abante, Dean of the College of Earth Science and Design at Partido State University, and Ms. Adona San Diego, ARD for Special Concern of DENR V, both highlighted women’s crucial role in environmental protection. They emphasized that women’s extensive traditional knowledge contributes significantly to biodiversity conservation and disaster response efforts. However, they also acknowledged the heightened vulnerabilities women face during disasters and called for improved policies, resources, and representation to address these challenges.
Mr. Henry A. Abawag, Stakeholder Engagement and Gender Specialist of the GEF-UNDP-DENR ABS Project, emphasized the interconnections between gender, DRR, and biodiversity conservation. He stressed that disasters are not solely about hazards but also about vulnerabilities, particularly those affecting women. Mr. Abawag called for gender-responsive DRR strategies, the adoption of nature-based solutions to enhance climate resilience, and strengthened biodiversity conservation efforts through the ABS framework. He discussed how ABS empowers communities by ensuring equitable sharing of benefits from genetic resources, and creating opportunities for women’s leadership in environmental initiatives.
Other distinguished speakers included Dr. Cedric D. Daep, Albay Provincial Administrator, and Gen. Claudio L. Yucot, Regional Director of the Office of Civil Defense V, who discussed disaster preparedness strategies and the role of inclusive governance in strengthening community resilience.