{"id":1007,"date":"2025-02-12T13:23:56","date_gmt":"2025-02-12T05:23:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/deped10.com\/?page_id=1007"},"modified":"2026-05-06T14:16:57","modified_gmt":"2026-05-06T06:16:57","slug":"the-gender-and-development-gad-program","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/deped10.com\/?page_id=1007","title":{"rendered":"The Gender and Development (GAD) Program"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n

The Gender and Development (GAD) Program<\/h1>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

128 years after the country\u2019s independence from colonial rule\u2014which disrupted indigenous systems of equality and institutionalized violence against women\u2014the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) underscores the urgency of restoring Filipino women\u2019s power and reclaiming pre-colonial values of gender balance. This momentum contributes to the realization of Bagong Pilipinas<\/em>, the governance brand of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.\u2019s administration, which calls for transformative change across all sectors of society and government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Highlighting shared responsibility, collective leadership, and inclusive action, the 2026 National Women\u2019s Month Celebration (NWMC)<\/a> continues under the 2023\u20132028 campaign banner, \u201cWE for Gender Equality and Inclusive Society.\u201d <\/strong>It aligns with the Philippine Development Plan 2023\u20132028<\/a>, which aims to restore economic momentum, ensure equal opportunities, and equip Filipinos with skills to participate fully in an innovative and globally competitive economy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2026 National Women\u2019s Month Theme and ASEAN Alignment<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

More than an annual event, the 2026 NWMC is a clarion call for Women and Everyone (WE) to take part and take charge in advancing gender equality and women\u2019s empowerment (GEWE) at the national and regional levels. It emphasizes a whole-of-government approach and all-of-society engagement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Under the sub-theme, \u201cLead like the Babaylans, Filipinas!\u201d<\/mark>,<\/strong> the PCW reaffirms that women\u2019s leadership is a fundamental part of Filipino identity\u2014just as in the time of the revered Babaylans, when women held influence and authority equal to men. It highlights the distinctive leadership qualities of Babaylans\u2014women leaders in pre-colonial Philippines whose authority was grounded in wisdom, empathy, mediation, and moral guidance rather than force or hierarchy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Babaylans led through inclusion, spiritual insight, and collective care, safeguarding communities and guiding them through conflict. By drawing from these qualities, the celebration underscores how women\u2019s leadership fosters balanced, resilient, and empowered communities\u2014an approach that remains relevant today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The 2025 Global Gender Gap Report reinforces this, ranking the Philippines 20th out of 148 countries with a parity score of 78.1%, thereby maintaining its position as Asia\u2019s most gender-equal nation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As the Philippines chairs ASEAN 2026<\/a> under the theme \u201cNavigating Our Future, Together,\u201d <\/em>PCW strategically aligns this year\u2019s NWMC sub-theme as a rallying call for sustained engagement. It also complements the 4th ASEAN Women Leaders Summit, themed \u201cShaping the Future of ASEAN: Women\u2019s Leadership in Advancing People Empowerment, Regional Security, and Economic Prosperity,\u201d <\/em>demonstrating how Filipino women continue to advance inclusive governance, peacebuilding, and community development both locally and across the ASEAN region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By underscoring that women\u2019s full participation is essential to sustainable progress and by amplifying women\u2019s achievements, this year\u2019s celebration champions a Bagong Pilipinas <\/em>and a resilient ASEAN where equality is practiced, inclusivity is sustained, and every woman\u2019s contribution strengthens communities, institutions, the nation, and the region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2026 National Women\u2019s Month Objectives<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The 2026 NWMC continues to amplify women\u2019s leadership across sectors by reclaiming and embodying the Babaylan model\u2014anchored in wisdom, compassion, courage, and deep responsibility to the community. It affirms gender equality not only as a policy principle but also as a cultural legacy that has long shaped Filipino society.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Through this campaign, women are empowered to lead transformative change in families, communities, Philippine society, and the ASEAN region\u2014demonstrating that gender-responsive leadership drives social progress, regional collaboration, and sustainable development. The celebration reinforces a vital truth: when women lead, communities thrive, societies advance, and nations grow stronger.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Specifically, this year\u2019s celebration aims to: <\/p>\n\n\n\n