Sara Duterte on Women's Day: 'Stop Just Praising Our Resilience — Build Systems That Actually Support Us'
Vice President Sara Duterte had a clear message this International Women's Day: enough with the symbolic praise, it's time for real action. In a statement released Sunday, Duterte called on the government and private sector to build concrete support systems for Filipino women instead of just celebrating their resilience year after year.
"Panahon na upang maglatag tayo ng mga sistemang tunay na susuporta sa ating lakas," Duterte said — it's time to establish systems that will truly support our strength. She specifically called for real protection for workers in the informal sector, climate-resilient support for women farmers, and genuine access to financing for women entrepreneurs. These aren't new problems, pero the VP emphasized that solutions have been painfully slow.
Duterte framed supporting women not as charity but as smart economic strategy. "Ang pagsuporta sa kababaihan ay hindi lamang pagpapakita ng kabutihang-loob. It is a strategy for inclusive growth," she said. The VP urged Filipinos to work toward a future where every woman can lead with dignity and inherit genuine opportunities — not just added responsibilities on top of what they already carry.
Her message comes as the Philippines marks both International Women's Day and National Women's Month this March. President Marcos also issued his own statement recognizing Filipino women's contributions to the country's progress. Meanwhile, various government agencies and organizations have been holding events and programs throughout the month to highlight women's achievements and push for gender equality.
The VP's call for substantive change resonates with many Filipinas who feel that Women's Day celebrations often end at social media posts and corporate hashtags without translating into real policy changes. With women making up a massive portion of the Philippine workforce — especially in the informal sector, agriculture, and overseas employment — Duterte's push for systemic support could signal a more action-oriented approach to gender issues from the current administration.
Source: GMA News Online
