Annual Celebration of the National Women’s Month

History

The Philippines celebrates National Women’s Month every March, alongside the global observance of International Women’s Day (IWD) on March 8. This celebration traces back to the early 20th-century labor movements, where women fought for fair wages, better working conditions, and equal rights. The tragic Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire of 1911 further highlighted these issues, leading to the recognition of IWD as a global movement. Eventually, the United Nations declared IWD an official day to honor women’s contributions and promote gender equality worldwide.

In the Philippines, National Women’s Month has become a major event that celebrates women’s achievements and raises awareness about women’s rights and gender equality. It follows important national and global frameworks, such as the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women, the Beijing Platform for Action, and the Philippine Plan for Gender-Responsive Development (1995-2025). Through various programs, campaigns, and activities, the celebration recognizes women’s contributions to society and pushes for changes that promote equal opportunities. This month-long event honors the past struggles for women’s rights while encouraging continuous efforts toward a fair and inclusive society.

Legal Bases:

The following laws serve as the legal bases for the celebration of National Women’s Month:

  • Proclamation No. 224 s. 1988 – Declaring the first week of March each year as Women’s Week and March 8 as Women’s Rights and International Peace Day.
  • Proclamation No. 227 s. 1988 – Providing for the observance of the Month of March as Women’s Role in History Month.
  • Republic Act (RA) 6949 s. 1990 – Declaring March 8 of every year as National Women’s Day.

In addition, the country also celebrates the Girl Child Week and the Women with Disabilities Day within the NWMC in accordance with the following:

  • Proclamation No. 759, s. of 1996 – Declaring every fourth week of March as the Protection and Gender-Fair Treatment of the Girl Child Week. This underscores the importance of providing every girl under the age of 18 with equal opportunities, adequate protection, and preparation for their role in community development.
  • Proclamation No. 744, s. of 2004 – Declaring the last Monday of March of every year as Women with Disabilities Day to advocate for the protection and integration of women with disabilities into society, ensuring they receive equal rights in legal matters and across all aspects of human activity.

2023-2028 NWMC Theme: WE for Gender Equality and an Inclusive Society

Building on the 2016-2022 campaign, WE Make CHANGE Work for Women, the theme emphasizes the ongoing need for collective efforts to promote gender equality and women’s empowerment (GEWE).

The NWMC theme aligns with the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028, which aims for economic and social transformation through job creation, poverty reduction, and inclusive growth, ensuring equal opportunities for all Filipinos.

© Philippine Commission on Women