In the observance of the 2023 National Women’s Month spearheaded by the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW), the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) would like to express its full support for women empowerment and gender equality.
This year’s theme, “WE for gender equality, inclusive and resilient society”, as launched and described by the PCW, is an opportunity and a call to action. It is a testament to the milestones achieved in closing gender gaps in the country and in gathering more support for advocacy, as the “WE” stands for “Women and Everyone.”
Through the years, the number of women involved in the mining industry has considerably increased. A study conducted by PlanetGold Philippines in small-scale mining cited that “Women have a voice in mining associations. Women are the ones who regularly attend meetings in mining associations, on behalf of their miner husbands.” On the other hand, although women employment in large-scale mining has increased, recent data constitute only a minority of the workforce. The result of the study showed that women only perform support roles and subject to gender discrimination where they are prevented from doing certain jobs that are seen as exclusive to men. This resulted to the recommendation of underlining the importance of normalizing gender in various aspects of mining—whether in policy formulation, infrastructure, finance, trading or other areas.
In line with this, the MGB is committed in further promoting women empowerment in the mining sector to encourage more aspiring professionals, particularly the women, to be involved in the mining industry, environment, social and governance. The MGB Gender and Development (GAD) Focal Point System, is tasked to facilitate the institutionalization of GAD mainstreaming activities, identify GAD strategies, programs, activities & projects in accordance with the identified priorities of the agency in response to the gender issues faced by its members, employees, and stakeholders.
Let us take this special event as an opportunity to discuss and address issues that women are facing continuously. This calls for concrete, sustainable and inclusive actions in providing women equal rights and opportunities and eventually towards gender equality.
MGB is always part of this advocacy and it will do its best in helping to address the existing and emerging issues to further sustain women empowerment and gender inclusivity. Let us all work together in accord for the development of gender equality and inclusivity with the hope and ambition that “WE are all for Gender Equality, WE are all for an inclusive and resilient society.”
Thank you and congratulations!