MANILA – The European Union Delegation in the Philippines is launching several activities to celebrate the 2021 International Women's month, including a cycling tour, a series of film screenings, dialogues, and roundtable discussions that advocate for gender equity and gender equality.
“It is imperative to ensure the well-being of society and to foster economic growth, prosperity, good governance, peace, and security," said EU Ambassador to the Philippines Luc Véron Tuesday, adding that gender mainstreaming is high on the agenda of the EU in the Philippines.
“The EU ensures that programs implemented in the country are screened through a gender lens taking into consideration the needs of women and girls," he added.
On March 21, Véron will join Filipino bikers and other European envoys such as Ambassadors Saskia de Lang of Netherlands, Michel Goffin of Belgium, Grete Sillasen of Denmark, and Michèle Boccoz of France for a solidarity ride titled "Empowering Women thru Cycling".
The cycling tour will start from Intramuros going to Rizal Park, with SM Mall of Asia as the last stop.
The cycling group will do a short stop at the Binhi ng Kalayaan to highlight the important role of women who fought for the freedom of the country.
A culminating program will then feature stories of seven women whose activities in their daily lives and pandemic have helped their communities.
The activity is initiated by cycling advocates and women’s advocacy groups: Bikers United Movement, Life Cycles Ph, Pinay Bike Commuters Community, and InThePink.
The EU Delegation and the Foreign Service Institute will also conduct a “Women in Diplomacy” webinar on March 22, from 2 to 4 p.m. to discuss the state of play in gender equity and gender equality in diplomacy.
In the coming days, it will lead a discussion for journalists and editors titled "NO JOKE! A Conversation on a Gender Fair, Inclusive, and Empowering Philippine Media" on March 29, April 5 and April 12 together with Miriam College’s Women and Gender Institute.
A series of roundtable discussions on important women’s issues are scheduled on March 15, on governance on March 22, and SPARK Conversations: Women and Feminine Health on March 29.
These roundtable discussions are led by SPARK! Philippines, in partnership with the US Embassy in the Philippines, the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, the Austrian Embassy Manila, the British Embassy Manila, the Embassy of Sweden in Manila, the Embassy of the Czech Republic in the Philippines, the German Embassy Manila, the Embassy of France to the Philippines and Micronesia, UNFPA, Philippine Commission on Women, Women Inter-Industry Network, Philippine Financial & Inter-Industry Pride, Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative and other organizations.
The Institut Français and the French Embassy will also present the 2021 edition of “IFCinéma à la carte,” featuring four French-language films directed by women filmmakers: Angèle et Tony (Angel and Tony) by Alix Delaporte; Le beau monde (High Society) by Julie Lopes Curval; La Cour de Babel (The School of Babel) by Julie Bertuccelli and Tout est pardonné by Mia Hansen-Løve.
All films are subtitled in several languages, including English, and are available for streaming free of charge until March 10 on the IFCinéma à la carte website: https://ifcinema.institutfrancais.com/en/streaming/alacarte (PNA)
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