Published: 18 April 2024
On March 8 every year, the United Nations (UN) celebrates International Women’s Day (IWD) to commemorate the achievements of women through the years since its official recognition in 1977. UN member countries around the world hold celebrations to recognize their women achievers.
Under the theme: “Invest in Women, Accelerate Progress,” the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) and the UN Women Philippines organized the IWD on 8 March 2024 held at the Samsung Hall, SM Aura, Taguig City. There were five panel discussions on varied topics, namely: (i) Financing with Gender Perspective; (ii) Empowering Communities through Gender-Responsive Budgeting; (iii) Championing Women’s Empowerment: A Global Perspective; (iv) Bridging the Gap: Technology and Women’s Empowerment in Business; (v) and A Double-Edged Sword: Navigating the Benefits and Challenges of Technology.
The Commission on Audit (COA), represented by Assistant Commissioner Fortunata M. Rubico, Chair of the Technical Working Group of the COA Gender and Development (GAD) Focal Point System (GFPS), participated in the second panel discussion together with the representatives from the PCW and the Department of Social Welfare and Development. (DSWD).
Second Panel Discussion during the IWD Celebration on March 8, 2024 entitled: “Empowering Communities through Gender-Responsive Budgeting” with panel discussants (from left to right): Director Miramel Garcia-Laxa, Program Management Bureau, DSWD; Ms. Anita E. Baleda, Chief, Policy Development, Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation Division , PCW; and Assistant Commissioner Fortunata M. Rubico, Chair, TWG COA GFPS; and Ms. Jeanne Frances I. Illo, Moderator and Gender Specialist, UPPAF Regulatory Reform Program for National Development
The panel discussion delved on the crucial role of GAD budget in promoting gender equality and in empowering communities. Specifically for COA, the discussions centered on the audit of GAD funds pursuant to Section 36, Republic Act No. 9710, the Magna Carta of Women, to ensure transparency and accountability in the use of the GAD budget at all levels of government. Likewise, Assistant Commissioner Rubico also shared some of the best practices of the Commission in gender mainstreaming that merited two GADtimpala Gold Awards for Outstanding Gender-Responsive Agency and Exemplary GAD Focal Point System. #