LGRRCI

Republic of the Philippines

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR AND TOCAT GOVERNMENT
L
TOCAT GOVERNANCE REGIONAT RESOURCE CENTER 1
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Reglonal Office I
Aguila Rd., sevill., San Fernando city, La Union
REEORDS Ut T
www.reEionl di e.eov,ph F
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DATE:
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ADVISORY TITIE:

TO ALL PROVINCIAL DIRECTORS a o

SUBJECT GUIDE FOR THE OBSERVANCE OF THE 2023 NATIONAL

WOMEN'S MONTH CELEBRATION

DATE March 17,2023

Attached is Memorandum Circular 2023-043 pertaining to the above-mentioned

subject for immediate dissemination in your respective jurisdiction. Kindly encourage
all LGUs to conduct the suggested activities relative to the observance of 2023
National Women's Month. For more information, downloadable collateral designs, and
updates about the 2023 N\ /MC, please visit https://pcw.gov.ph/2023-national-
womens-month-celebration.

For questions and clarifications, crntact PCWs Corporate Affairs and lnformation
Resource Management Division through email address
womensmonth@pcw.gov.ph or trunk line (02) 8735-1654, local 131 or 121 , and
direct line at (02) 8352-5372 and look for Ms. Nevi P. Calma and Mr. Ann Jun
Magnaye.

For your ap action.

AGNES A. E LEON, CESO V

OIC - Reg al DirectorT
Enc |nC 2n23413
LGCDD/PDG/LAZVIZam ,

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"Matino, Mahusay at Maaasahan"

Tel. Nos. (072) 888 2108 ' 888 2289 ' 888 2294 ' 88 31c6
EQRWY 888 7695 . 607 1245 ' 607 1531 ' 607 4467 to 70
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Republic of ths PhiliPpines
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DEPARTIf,ENT OF THE IT{TERIOR AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT 't469
DILG-NAPOLCOM Center. EDfiA comor Ouezon Avenue, West Triangle Quezon C rty -r,43o^

MEMORANDUM CIRCULAR
NO. 2023-043
TO ALL PROVINCIAL, CITY, MUNICIPAL, AND BARANGAY
GOVERNMENTS, DILG REGIONAL OFFICES, THE BARMM
MINISTRY OF THE INTERIOR AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT
AND ALL OTHERS CONCERNED

SUBJECT GUIDE FOR THE OBSERVANCE OF THE 2023 NATIONAL

WOMEN'S MONTH CELEBRATION

1.0 Background

1.1 Proclamation No. 224 s. of 1988 declares the first week of March of each
year as Women's Week and March I as Women's Rights and lnternalional
i,eace Day. Proclamation No.227, s. 1988, provides for the observance of
the Month of March as Women's Role in History Month; and Republic Act
(RA) No. 6949 (1990), declares March I of every year as National Women's
bay. Proclamation No.759, s. '1996, declares every fourth week of March as
ths Protection and Gender-Fair Treatment of the Girl Child Week'
Proclamation No, 744, s. of 2OO4 declares the last Monday of March of every
year as Women with Disabilities Day to promote the inclusion of women with
disabilities in the socrety who deserve equal rights in the fleld of law and in all
aspects of human endeavor.

12 The Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) spearheads the annual

Naiionat Wbmen's Month Celebration to honor women and their contributions
to nation building. As such, PCW issued Memorandum Circular No 2023-01
O"i"J ?"Otr"ty-6, 2023 with the subject "Guide for the 2023 National
Wor"n'"MonthCetebration(NWMC)",toprovidefortheguidelinesforthe
National Women's Month Celebration in March 2023
WE
IJ This year, the PCW launches a new recurring theme for the celebration:
inclusive society, along with the of{icial hashtag
tor olnOet equalitv and
affirmation ad a
;rwi;;";; eqlantt'rne 2023-2028 theme is both a positive closing gender gaps
catt to action. li is a testament to the milestones achieve in
, tne *rntry and in gathering more support to tre advocacy
2.0 Scope/Coverage
ments. DILG Regional Offices,
2.1 All Provincial, City, Municipal, Barangay Govem
and all others
BARMM Ministry of the lnterior and Local Govemment,
con@rned.

uhrr
"Ualino, iiahuray at Maaatthan"
Trunkline No ' 8876'3+54
E E ED

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 3.0 Policy Content and Guidelines

3.1 The local government units (LGUS) shall be guided by the following objectives
in planning their NWMC activities:

3.1.1 To inform and engage women and everyone to push for gender-
responsive government programs and services that empower women
to contribute to nation-building;

3.1.2 To provide platforms to share good practices and address gaps,

challenges, and commilments in pursuing gender and development
(GAD) - to further strengthen the implementation of the Magna Carta
of Women toward milestone 15th year in 2024',

3.1 .3 To inspire women and girls to empower themselves and take on

leadership, roles, opportunities, and beneflts toward maximizing their
full potential and enabling them to reap the fruits of gender equality; and

3. 1 .4 To promote a society that ensures inclusion, protection of fundamental

I freedoms, diversify, and social justice and ln which every individual,
each with rights and responsibilities, is capacitated and encouraged to
take an active role to play.

J,Z Focus for NWMC 2C23: DigitALL: lnnovation and Technology for Gender
Equality

3.2.1 Tne 2023 NWMC will focus on "DigitALL: lnnovation and technology for
gender equality", in line with the lnternational Women's Day (lWD)
theme. Further. the 2023 NWMC will call for the empowerment of
women and giris toward maximizing their benefit from innovation and
technology and bridging and gender gap in ICT and connectrvity This
is in line with the priority theme of the 67h session of the United Nations
Commissron on the Status of Women (UNCSW67)' "innovation and
technological change, and education in lhe digital age for achieving
gender equalltv and the empowerment of all women and glrls;

JO Suggested Activities

3.3.1 Pursuant to PCW MC No. 2023-01 dated February 6, 2023' LGUS are
encouraged to organize relevant and substantive activities in line with
the geneial obleciives and focus of the 2023 NWMC and the Gender
and Development (GAD) obiectives' to wit

3.3 1.1 NwMG-themed Flag Raising Ceremony - All government

agencies and LGUS can include NWMC announcements in
ttiei, respective Flag Raising Ceremonies The use of the All-
Wornen Cast Lupang Hinirang Video in NvVlvlC activities is
highly recommenOed. Ttre musrc video can be downloaded
fronr

3.3.'1 2 For GAD Focal Point System (GFPS) Mombers - GFPS

mlmbers of agencies with mandates relative to technology'
innourtion. an; information and communication technology
iic;i-rr" invited to attend the onsite event for the
ini"rnr[onrr Women s Day (March 8)' to be conducted o-t rn

coll3boration with UN Women (subject to the avala.btttty

venue
oue to the hmited seating capacity of the event
"Lrr-ti Updates on tne
ine- Zctivitv attendance will be by invitalron
webpage:
lelaitiwirioe posted on the NWMC
Page 2 of 7
3.3.1.3 Participation in the NWMC #DigitALL Forum Series -
GAD advocates are highly encouraged to join the NWMC
#DigrtALL Forum Series to be held on March 15,22, and 29
(See Aetails in Section 6.0). Parlicipation via livestream
viewing is free of charge and no registration will be
required.

3.3.1.4 GAD Forum/GAD Agenda Setting - Government agencies

and iocal government units (LGUs) can organize onsite,
virtual, or hybrid activities where they can tackle gender
issues that they can help resolve or minimize, in line with their
mantlates, as well as assess internal gender concerns that
need immediate attention. Wth GAD Agenda Setting'
atencies and LGUs can reflect on their own GAD journey and
piot their future plans toward ? gender-responsive
touernance that contributes to the welfare
of their
lienrs/constituents and internal stakeholders'

3.3.1.5 #GADtoKnow-AgenciesandLGUscanproduce,distribute.,
share inf6rmation materials (online and print)
^idt*
i"aturing the list of their gender-responsive programs and
serviceJ benefiting women, as well as simplified steps and
requirements to ivail of such. Participating agencies and
stakehotders can also produce and distribute different
iniormation, education and communication (lEC) materials
s6 lhe National Women's Month Celebration and laws on
*o*an Agencies can access information materials at
you are fo1
3.3.1 .6 2023 NWMC banner of support' Show that
g"nOur" equality and inclusive society! Display the National
Worun'"'Uonin Celebration banner in front of respective
offices, landmarks, and other areas and upload the
digital
otficial website
cou,rterpart to the agency's/organization's
and social media accounts'
anything
3.3.1.7 #PurpleWednesdays or #PurpleYourtcon' Wear for
support
;;tp6 ;" at t " weonesdays of March
gender
to signify
equality'
wonten's empowerment and ,P'tl"'pill:
ln purple
can also light up or decorate offices or landmarks
to the
as a celebration of women and their contribution
for discussion on
society as well as to serve as a springboard
the NWMC.
(#ilNKWednesdays)'
3.3.1.8 M usi ka ng Kababai han Wednesdays
Plav the songs
Metody ,n'd harrony for gender elua]1lvt
Contest and other PCW
fron the MusikJuanZ 5on?*iting private
songs in office [remises' public and
"Juo"r"v on social media every
establishments, parks, and even women's
hymns of
W"Jn"tOrV of ftra'cn Get these
emPowerment.

pla cg"-1ll:l
3.3.1.9 offer your own "serbisvg lltj:-"*'.,
private organizations providing
direct servtces'
aoencies and freebtes'
;ffi;;;;.' Jno ptolti"tt io the public can offer
Page 3 of 7
 discornts. special lanes, and olher promos to women and
girls r)n lnternational Women's Day (March 8) and/or other
dates in March to serve as their appreciation in this special
montl of celebration Stakeholders who wsh to have their
#serbisyoParaKayJuana activtties included in PCW's list for
announcements are requested to fill out this form:

10 Coordinate with regional and local GAD mechanisms,

such as the Regional GAD Councils, in holding inter-agency
activrties aimed at strengthening the implementation and
moniloring of the Magna Carta of Women and other laws on
women and GAD programs in their respective areas.

3.3.1 tt Conduct Fora, Workshops, Lectures, Contests or similar

activities about Gender and Development (GAD) or tackle
specrfic issues and concerns of women relevant to their
respective sectors or mandates. For schools, colleges. and
unive.sities, essay-writing, poster-making, or other contests
and (;reative activities that cultivate young p€ople's interest
on GAD may also be explored.

3.3.1.12 Organize activities in support of the Girl-Child Week and

the Women with Disabilities Oay Celebration - Everyone
is encouraged to ,oin the Girl Child Week, observed every
fourth week of March, which is led by the Council for the
Welfare of Children (CWC), as well as the Women with
Disabilities Day celebration spearheaded annually by the
National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA).

3.3.1..13 Use the official collateral designs released by PCW -

Stakeholders are advised to use the standard branding
design released by the PCW for the 2023 NWMC. The
braniing guide, standard banner, and sample collateral
designs can be downloaded from:

3.3.1 14 Use the official hashtag: #l,llEcanbeEquALL - Drumming

up support to the advocacy, the online campaign will show
our hope that #WEcanbeEquALL. This new hashtag
motivates women and everyone (WE) to push for equality
and inclusivity where ALL, regardless of gender, ability,
status. and situatlon, are respected and afforded their rights'
Witt' our battle cry #WEcanbeEquALL, no one should be left
behrnd. Under thii hashtag, participants can also share their
commitments and plans of action in working for gender
equality and an inclusive society.

3 3 1 15 Support PCW's online advocacy - Maximiz-e^djgitAlL by

echoing the advocacy online and sharing PCWS official
"rea'a accounts and developing agency-fit NWMC
io" a,
can'paigns. Participants can also use the 2023 NWMC
(onlrne
;;;;;"t Profile Photo and 'rther online materials
.t,c,.er oaik, online collaterals, etc ) They can also showcase
therr activities online and jo'n the online thread
uslng
#V\rEcanbeEquALL.

3.3.1 16 Be featured in the NWMC Calendar of Activities.and

ii,ir-iilinoto=. Aiencies witn activities fined up can share
-pcw bv
'" filling out thrs form
il" Lr"---a
Page 4 ol7
 ( ) so their
respective events can be featured in the NWMC Calendar of
Activ(ies. Agencies can also send their activity photos which
can be posted on PCW's Facebook page (subject to review
and deadline). Submit activity photos here:

3.3.2 Further. LGUs are encruraged to participate and support the following
activitres organ,zed by the PCW in time for the 2023 NWMC:

3.3.2.1 lnternational Women's Day Celebration with the theme

DigitALL: lnnovation and technology for gender eguality.

The PCW, in partnership with UN Women, will kick off the

2023 National Women's Month Celebration on March 8,
lnlernational Women's Day, with the theme DigitALL:
lnnovation and Technology for Gender Equality' The
event will gather advocacy partners, policymakers,
GADvocates in technology, innovataon, and lCT, government
GAD workers, youth, and the private sector, in a full day of
sharrng and learning The assembly will be a springboard for
discusiions revolving around the policies that must be
lobbied and issues that must be addressed in terms of
women's involvement and contribution to the technology and
digital realm. The IWD event will also serve as the venue for
th; NWMC Media Conference, which will apprise media
partners as to the status of Filipino women and will provide
oppartunities to discuss and shed light on gender issues

3.3.2.2 Launching of the Pulso para sa Kababaihan' Tungo sa

Kaunlaran RePort

ln 2t)22,lhe PCW launched the Pulso para sa Kababaihan'

Tungo sa Kaunlaran Online Poll, aiming to set a roadmap
for decision-makers and leaders through gelting the pulse of
Filip'nos on priority issues that must be addressed Based on
the Updated GEWE ptan Results Matrices' it laid down
specific targets in the followlng areas: Trade, lndustry and
Services; Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries (AFF); Labor
and Employment; Health and Nutrition; Education; Shelter;
Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and the Justice System;
Wornen, Peace, and Security; Disaster Risk Reduction and
Maragement; Science, Technology and lnnovation (STl) and
ICT lnfrastructure and Transportation; Energy; Women and
Politrcs; Women and the Civil Service; Gender Norms and
Culture. Gamering almost 5,OOo responses ftom all over
the
what should the
ihil,ppines' the rdsults show a snapshot of
Agenda ng Kababaihan include in the perspective of citizens
th-emselvel. This 2023, the PCW will release the
Pulso
Report whicir details the online poll results and which can
guicte sitting ofticials, as well as government agencies'
privare organizations and GEWE advocates in crafting
programs. activities' and proiects that can minimize or
res,)lve existing gender issues'

3.3.2.3 NWMC DigitALL Forum Series

'ri'"in
3.3 2.3 1 ChatGE: Talk about Gender
Equality (March t5) -
pctiv-iirr an online forum series revolving
ano technologv vis-a-vis the
"to'ni'iiilinn*ation'
Page 5 of 7
 que$t for gender equality. On March 15, 2023, the
online forum will showcase the government's efforts
to increase the visibility of women in these industries.
This event will inform women about the programs,
activities, and projects the government provides and
that they can avail.

3.3.2 3.2 Safe in Tech, lnnovation, and Cyberspace (March

22't - The increasingly lCT-driven world breeds
various forms of risks in technology, innovation, and
cyberspace" Hence, thrs forum will look into the
vulnerabilities women and girls are exposed to and
discuss possible safeguards, solutions, and security
mechanisms.

3.3.2.3.3 KasamaALL: lnclusivity in lnnovation and

Technology {March 29) True to the sub-theme for
this year, the third and culminating episode of the
DigitALL online forum series will feature the
opportunities for women in technology as well as the
call for their increased participation inthese
industries.

3.3.2.4 #-luanaSays 2023'Now on its 9"'year, the #JuanaSays 2023

will feature a daily inspiring quote from women in technology,
lcT, and innovation. The statement cards aim to provide a dose
of inspiration and motivation that can encourage women and
girls to pursue careers and rally behind women's rights in these
fields. stakeholders are encouraged to share the statement
cards that PCW will release daily within the month of March,
through its official social media platforms'

3.3.2.5 #WECanbeEquALL - Drumming up support to the advocacy,

the online campaign will show our hope that
#WEcanbeEquALL.Thisnewhashtagmotivateswomenand
everyone
-
gE1 to push for equality and inclusivity where
ALL regardtesi of gender, ability, status, and situation, are
respectJd and afforded their rights wilh. our battle cry
#\A/EcanbeEquALL, no one should be left behind. Under this
haslrtag,participantscanalsosharetheircommitmentsand
plans o-f'action in working for gender equality and an inclusive
soclety.

3'3,2'62023NWMCStickerPack.PCWwillreleaseanewonline
stickerpackforthe2023N\^/I\{C'featuringpositivemessages
tfrar primote gender equality and women's empwerygnt
viber,
oowrioJo, shire, and use the sticker pack for free on
Telegram, and lnstagram'

3.4 observanceofHealthandSafety,andNon.narlillnProtocols.Withthe
pandemic, PcW reminds all stakeholders
country still reeling r,o* tn" covtD.rg
piotocols in conducting physicalgatherings
to observe relevant neaftfr inO satety
fnu celebration of the NationalWomen's Month
in their respective
"nnuai agtivity.To maintain.the focus on the
;;.;;-ilrtisan
is also a peacefut"r*r*.
advocacy, please ,.trri-liJ* ,ilng PcW-produced materials for partisan

political activities.
Budget -.The I{WMC is one of the
3.5 Use of the Gender and Development legal and
nv tne iCw nased on existing
annual advocacy uruitrip*n"CqgO women's issues and
public awareness on
GAD mandates. lt promotes expens-es for the annual
in society. As such,
recognizes the vitar ,.ie of women may
may be charged to the GnO Buiget of government offices' and
NWMC
Page 6 of 7
 be reflected in their GAD Accomplishment Reports, provided that the activities
conducted are in line with the theme, objectives, and focus area of concetn
provided in PCWS guidelines, and fall within the mandate of the implementing
government agency. Nothing in this circular shall be interpreted to amend
previously set polioes on GAD Planning and Budgeting, or any procurement'
auditing, or administiative-related policies set by appropriate oversight
agencies.

3.6 Additional lnformation and lnquiries

3.6.1 Stakeholders are advised to visit this link for more information,
downloadable collateral designs' and updates about the 2023 NWMC:

Announcements are also posted on PCWs official social media pages

For further questions and clarifications, stakeholders may contact

PCW'S Corporate Affairs and lnformation Resource Management
Division througr Trunk Line: (02) 8735-1654, local 131 or 121 Direct
Line: (02) 835r-5372 (Ms. Nevi P Cdma and Mr' Ann 'lun Magnaye or
it- irri, F. deta iruz) or email: womensmonth@pcw gov'ph and
media@Pcw.gov.Ph.

3.7 All DILG Regional Directors are hereby directed to. cause the immediate and
*ia"it OU"J*ination of this Memorandum Circular to all concerned the
local
oorlmment units within their respective jurisdiclions Likewise' BARMM
ilii|"; ;f ih. interior and Locai Government is requested to circulate the
same to all local officials concerned with the BARMM te'ritory'

For information and guidance

*#*ffiffi*,,-ffi
osEclBclJNBOO/DDV/CCOD/RCC/LPO/LLa'/jpb
I

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