MANILA – President Rodrigo Duterte in his International Women’s Day celebration message urged Filipinos to uplift women by doing away with the “backward mindset” that has made a culture of gender oppression and inequality.
“Let us elevate women to their rightful place in society by empowering every Filipina to break not only barriers that have long hindered them from reaching their full potential, but also the backward mindset,” said Duterte.
He claimed that his administration has made actions “to create an environment where women’s rights are respected and their contributions to society are recognized.”
The President also acknowledged how international organizations, women’s rights movements, and various government have worked together to make significant strides in addressing gender inequality by dealing with its cultural, institutional, and historical roots in the past few decades.
Duterte is known for often making sexist jokes and offensive remarks against women in various public speeches since he assumed the presidency in 2016.
Earlier this year, he said that women are not fit to be president as he discouraged his daughter, Davao City mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, to run for presidential post in 2022 elections.
Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque, meanwhile, defended Duterte from sexist notions as he bragged that the country ranked first in Asia and 16th in the world in closing the gender gap under the current administration.
“Napakalaking suporta ng binibigay ng Presidente sa kababaihan, number one tayo sa Asya in closing the gender gap ayon sa World Economic Forum,” Roque on Monday said. “‘Yung mga kritiko, siguro sanay na silang pumuna nang pumuna sa Presidente. Pero ano ang datos? Kinikilala tayo sa buong mundo.”/PN
