Legarda Urges Women to Lead with Confidence, Serve with Compassion

MANILA, March 7, 2013-In celebration of Women’s Month, Senator Loren Legarda urged Filipino women to take on a more active role as leaders in the society as they continue to perform the role of serving their communities.

Legarda, who will attend the Philippine Women Judges Association’s National Convention in Palo, Leyte and the Women’s Congress in Baybay, Leyte, said that this year’s theme for the Women’s Month celebration, “Kababaihan: Gabay sa Pagtahak sa Tuwid na Daan”, underscores the need for women to be at the forefront of efforts to improve Filipino communities and take initiatives that would contribute to the nation’s progress.

“In celebrating Women’s Month, we aim to empower women so that they will have the confidence to lead and still have the compassion to serve. We must always assert what we believe is right and good for our citizens and for our nation,” the Senator stressed.

“Our government should invest more in strengthening women's role as leaders in our society because women have proven their leadership capabilities especially in times of crisis. There is no question on the importance of investing in women, and in getting them involved in decision-making, especially on issues concerning environment and climate change,” she added.

Legarda said that women have been at the frontline of disaster prevention and climate change adaptation efforts, like a group of women farmers in Montalban, Rizal who are practicing agroforestry to adapt to the prolonged wet season. Meanwhile, a group of women fisherfolk in Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur reforested over a hundred hectares of mangrove areas to protect their settlements from storm surges and secure an additional source of food for their families.

“Climate change adaptation is just one area where women can prove that they are powerful agents of change. We must create meaningful opportunities for women’s participation and leadership. We should recognize and empower women, who are agents of solutions, indispensable holders of valuable knowledge and skills, and able leaders from the grassroots level to the global stage,” Legarda concluded.