Ambassador Antonio M. Lagdameo delivers keynote remarks on the occasion of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women as staff members from the Permanent Mission of the Philippines to the UN and the Philippine Consulate General in New York listen to mark the occasion | Photo via PH Mission to the UN
NEW YORK – The Philippines renewed its commitment to ending violence against women in remarks made by the Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the Philippines to the United Nations, Antonio M. Lagdameo, in observance of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women on November 28.
Lagdameo highlighted the Philippines’ track record and leadership in advancing gender equality domestically and worldwide.
“The Philippines is among earliest advocates of women’s human rights at the UN fora. We worked hard to push for equal rights between men and women during the crafting the Universal Declaration of Human Rights,” said Lagdameo.
He recalled the Philippines’ role in drafting the Beijing Platform for Action. “The Platform remains today the most comprehensive global policy framework and blueprint for advancing women’s rights,” Lagdameo added.
Concerning the Philippines’ national laws and policies, Lagdameo stressed that “violence against women is contrary to the laws and policies of the Philippines. It is borne out of an outdated notion that women are somehow lesser than men and are not entitled to the same rights; a notion that we condemn and reject.”
The International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women is observed on November 25. It marks the start of the Philippines’ 18-day campaign to end violence against women, which is participated in by Philippine government agencies. In New York, staff members of the Permanent Mission of the Philippines to the UN and the Philippine Consulate General in New York jointly observe the campaign.
–With Jay Domingo/PDM
