national Women’s Month
The celebration of Bangsamoro Women’s Month is deeply rooted in the global acknowledgment of International Women’s Day (IWD) on March 8th, which itself originates from the early 20th-century efforts of women rallying for improved labor conditions and rights. The tragic event of the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire in 1911, which resulted in the loss of over 140 lives, predominantly those of immigrant women, marked a pivotal moment in labor and women’s rights history, leading to the subsequent annual observance of IWD.
In the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), the observance of National Women’s Month is tailored to reflect the unique socio-cultural and religious context of the Bangsamoro people, while still aligning with national and international frameworks like the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women, the Beijing Platform for Action, and the Sustainable Development Goals. It is a time to highlight the achievements of Bangsamoro women and address the challenges they face in pursuit of gender equality and empowerment within the framework of the Bangsamoro context.
Legal Foundations
The celebration in BARMM is grounded in Philippine national proclamations and laws, as well as regional policies that support women’s rights and gender equality:
• Proclamation No. 224 s. 1988, designates the first week of March annually as Women’s Week and March 8 as Women’s Rights and International Peace Day, acknowledging women’s contributions to national independence and human rights.
• Proclamation No. 227 s. 1988, declares March as “Women’s Role in History Month,” emphasizing Filipino women’s contributions to the nation’s development.
• R.A. 6949 s. 1990, establishes March 8 as National Women’s Day, a special working holiday to celebrate women’s achievements.
• The celebration of Women’s Month in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) establishes frameworks for promoting women’s rights and gender equality, which are in spirit with the objectives of Women’s Month celebrations. One of the key legislative frameworks is the Bangsamoro Women Commission Act of 2020 (BA-ACT NO. 8), which establishes the Bangsamoro Women Commission (BWC). This act outlines the commission’s powers, functions, and composition, and it provides the necessary funds for its operation. The establishment of the BWC is a significant step towards advancing women’s rights and empowerment in BARMM, aligning with the goals of national and international observances like Women’s Month.
Additionally, the Bangsamoro Government recognizes the importance of integrating regional policies that reflect the unique identity and contributions of Bangsamoro women, supporting their active role in the region’s development and peacebuilding efforts.
2023-2028 Theme: “WE for Gender Equality and Inclusive Society”
Bangsamoro Women Commission
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Office Address: Bangsamoro Government Center, RH 7, Cotabato City 9600
Telephone No.: (64) 421-2562
Email address: [email protected]