To my fellow Philippine Open Government Partnership (PH-OGP) Steering Committee members, distinguished leaders and members of the government and civil society, esteemed panelists, and all the champions of open government and gender equality: Magandang umaga and Happy National Women’s Month sa ating lahat! 

Assalamu alaikum wa Raḥmatullahi wa Barakatuh. 

First, I would like to thank the remarkable women leaders, advocates, public servants, and changemakers who have shared their inspiring stories of continuously breaking barriers and building bridges towards a more open and gender-fair world. 

Today’s forum delivers a strong message that every woman has the power to drive change, lead communities, and make a difference, especially if they are empowered to do so. 

This National Women’s Month theme reminds us that women’s empowerment should be inclusive, leaving no one behind in our journey towards having access to equal opportunities. 

This vision calls for a multi-sectoral approach because it is only through collective resolve that we can address such a deeply rooted societal issue. And OGP is the ideal platform to facilitate this collaborative effort as open governance is not just a policy framework—it is a movement towards building a future that is truly open for everyone’s participation, especially women’s. 

We proved this commitment during the recently held OGP Asia and the Pacific Regional Meeting, where thousands of high-level government representatives, civil society leaders, and policymakers gathered to shape the future of open governance worldwide.  

While I was not able to attend all 60 plus sessions, I am proud to share that each one was dynamic, meaningful, and impactful—primarily because I know that women were present in every room, not just as passive participants but as progressive leaders contributing to every discussion and decision.  

Today, we have witnessed once again that our nation will truly prosper if we let women do what they do best: uplift not only themselves but everyone around them. They break barriers today so that the next generation of women and girls can live without limits and flourish without fear. They build bridges so that future leaders can access more opportunities to reach their fullest potential. And most importantly, they inspire us to do the same.  

Despite the progress we've made so far, we cannot deny that significant barriers still remain, particularly for women in marginalized communities. While they may not be present in forums like this, they also carry stories of struggle, resilience, and hope—stories that are equally deserving of our recognition. 

With that, I am honored to welcome you to the “Babae sa Lahat ng Sektor, Aangat ang Bukas sa Bagong Pilipinas” art exhibition. This is more than just a showcase of artistic talent—this is a tribute to the indomitable spirit of women across all sectors.  

Each artwork tells a story of women who have dared to make a difference, stood firm on their principles, and transformed communities with their courage and vision.  

And so may you find inspiration and continue our advocacy for gender equality through these powerful representations—not only this month, but every day. As women consistently play a vital role in making our world better, it is also incumbent upon us to champion the cause and protect the rights of every woman. 

So let us work together, with our renewed energy and purpose from today’s event, to ensure that every woman in every sector can thrive in a Bagong Pilipinas that is truly open, inclusive, and empowering. 

Thank you very much. 

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