Women's Day

Today March 8 is Women's Day and here in Mongolia it is celebrated as a national holiday (good job!)  My colleague asked me yesterday if this was also celebrated in the Philippines.  Actually I didn't remember this day to be celebrated in this magnitude.  There is Mother's Day but that is only for mothers and not all women in general.  The Philippines though is predominantly matriarchal in its culture and is a champion of women's right and equality. So is the government doing something about it?

Apparently, there is a commission created named Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) pcw.gov.ph which was formed as a result of the enactment of Republic Act 9710 (Magna Carta of Women.)  According to the their website the PCW holds a month long activity to celebrate Women's month.  The PCW's activities can be seen here.

On an international scale, Women's Day theme is varies for each country yearly.  Most of tackles global or local women's problems such as economics, violence against women, right and equality.  One of which I personally support is to stop the violence against women.  This is in the wake of the shooting of Malala Yousufzai and the Delhi 2012 gang rape case.  Last February 14, 2013, women all across the globe participated to kick off the One Billion Rising campaign.  The event was marked by girls and women doing a flash mob style dance to express support to end violence against women.  Here's a video of that event in the Philippines.

And probably as a fitting tribute for Women's Day US President Barack Obama today signed the renewed Violence Against Women Act.

As for me I honestly believe that a real man loves and respects women.  Happy Women's Day to all women around the world!