Cheyenne Suarez

Marcos Jr. marks Women’s Day with vow to ‘oppose anything threatening women’s progress’

This commemorative wall at the Tandang Sora Museum in Quezon City — the country's first women's museum — displays notable women in the country's political and cultural history. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

Katrina Domingo

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:950px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/174140194233220250219-tandang-sora-womens-museum-MD-7.jpg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="This commemorative wall at the Tandang Sora Museum in Quezon City — the country&#x27;s first women&#x27;s museum — displays notable women in the country&#x27;s political and cultural history. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">This commemorative wall at the Tandang Sora Museum in Quezon City — the country&#x27;s first women&#x27;s museum — displays notable women in the country&#x27;s political and cultural history. <em>Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News</em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Saturday celebrated International’s Women’s Day, saying that his administration is committed to “always advocate for women&#x27;s rights and vigorously oppose anything threatening their progress.”</p><p>Marcos Jr. attributed “many of the developments” the Philippines enjoys today to the “innumerable contributions of women across generations who fought, struggled, and advocated for various noble causes.”</p><p>“From the babaylans, katipuneras, and Filipina guerrillas of the past to the frontliners, professional trailblazers, and visionary leaders of today, our country has produced millions of empowered women who gave their knowledge, talents, and even their lives for the sake of many,” the President said in a statement.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/celebrities/2025/3/7/bianca-gonzalez-and-iza-calzado-list-the-comments-women-receive-that-they-want-to-change-2314">Bianca Gonzalez and Iza Calzado list the comments women receive that they want to change</a></div><p>“As we mark this special occasion, let us recognize the significance of women as an unshakeable force that nurtures, perseveres, and redefines,” he said.</p><p>Marcos Jr. also likened women to the Philippines, noting how both are “dynamic and ever-evolving” and “require resilience and strength.”</p><p>“Let us commit to supporting them in their endeavors to uplift the nation and the rest of the world,” he said.</p><p>“We will never grow weary of retelling the stories of remarkable women so we can inspire a new generation of young girls to make their mark on society,” he said.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/business/2025/3/7/karen-davila-rings-ph-stock-exchange-bell-for-international-women-s-day-1134">Karen Davila rings PH Stock Exchange bell for International Women&#x27;s Day</a></div><p>In a separate statement, the Center for Trade Union and Human Rights said women have been struggling discriminatory labor practices in the Philippines.</p><p>“Studies have shown that wage discrimination is real, that women workers mostly receive lower wages than male workers – even as most male and female workers in the country receive low wages in the first place,” it said.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/2/19/ph-s-first-women-s-museum-opens-in-quezon-city-2340">PH&#x27;s first women&#x27;s museum opens in Quezon City</a></div><p>It added women workers are also at a disadvantage under contractual labor arrangements and “are often denied maternity leave and benefits by manpower agencies and the main employers.”</p><p>Women’s Month — celebrated every March — is a global commemoration “born from the early 20th-century activism of women advocating for labor rights and gender equality” in the United States, according to the Philippine Commission on Women.</p><p>The United Nations later on recognized March 8 as International Women’s Day “to honor the women’s contributions and advocate for gender equality and women’s rights  globally.”</p>

<p>Marcos Jr. attributed “many of the developments” the Philippines enjoys today to the “innumerable contributions of women across generations who fought, struggled, and advocated for various noble causes.”</p>

Marcos Jr. attributed “many of the developments” the Philippines enjoys today to the “innumerable contributions of women across generations who fought, struggled, and advocated for various noble causes.”