DepEd Kicks Off 2024 National Women's Month Celebration
In honor of women's contributions to nation-building, the Department of Education (DepEd) has announced the commencement of the annual National Women's Month Celebration (NWMC) from March 1 to 31, 2024. The celebration, spearheaded by the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW), aligns with the global observance of International Women's Day (IWD).
The NWMC is in accordance with various Presidential Proclamations and Republic Acts, emphasizing the first week of March as Women's Week, March 8 as Women's Rights and International Peace Day, and the observance of March as Women's Role in History Month. Furthermore, the Girl Child Week and Women with Disabilities Day are also commemorated within the Women's Month.
The 2024 NWMC aims to capitalize on the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028's call for deep economic and social transformation. The celebration's theme underscores the importance of Women's Empowerment, Gender Equality, and an Inclusive Society. It envisions a Philippines where women have equal opportunities and are free from gender biases and stereotypes.
DepEd encourages all Central, Regional, Schools Division Offices, and Schools, including private basic education institutions, to undertake various activities to promote public awareness about this celebration. Activities include NWMC-themed Flag Raising Ceremonies, GAD Forums, GAD Agenda Setting, and many more. The celebration also encourages the use of the official hashtag, #WEcanbeEquALL, to share commitments and action plans for advancing gender equality and fostering an inclusive society.
In addition to these activities, the Bureau of Human Resource and Organizational Development-Employee Welfare Division (BHROD-EWD) GAD Secretariat will conduct a series of workshops. These activities are designed to ensure that the DepEd GAD Agenda comprehensively reflects the needs and priorities of the students, teachers, and stakeholders it aims to serve.
The External Partnerships Service-International Cooperation Office (EPS-ICO), in collaboration with the BHROD-EWD GAD Secretariat and Education Partners, will host a forum and side event in celebration of IWD on March 8, 2024. A thought-provoking webinar is also scheduled for March 25, 2024, focusing on "Transformative Justice: Towards an Increased Women Participation and Empowerment in the Basic Education Sector".
All activities must comply with the existing provisions of DepEd Order No. 009, s. 2005 titled Instituting Measures to Increase Engaged Time—On-Task and Ensuring Compliance Therewith. For more information on the PCW-organized activities and schedules, interested parties may visit the PCW page and social media accounts.
For additional information, please contact the Bureau of Human Resource and Organizational Development-Employee Welfare Division Gender and Development Secretariat.