Women power

As a son, husband and father, I have witnessed how the women I hold dear in my life have demonstrated extraordinary courage, ironclad determination, and an unwavering resolve to overcome challenges.

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As a son, husband and father, I have witnessed how the women I hold dear in my life have demonstrated extraordinary courage, ironclad determination, and an unwavering resolve to overcome challenges.

This is the same strength of spirit that I witnessed among my women coworkers and mentors in my career as a soldier and public servant.

My mother, who is a proud farmer from Bulacan, taught me, my nine sisters and two brothers the value of honesty, sense of fairness, hard work and perseverance. My wife, a former flight purser, showed me that it is possible to have a successful professional career while raising a family. And my only child and daughter has exhibited a strong passion for art, music and graphic design.

This is why my participation in last week’s Philippine National Conference on Women, Peace and Security with the theme “Empowering Local Women, Peace and Security Champions as Agents in Socioeconomic Transformation,” was very special for me. It served as a reminder of the invaluable role that Filipinowomen play in our society, particularly in the key areas of governance, leadership, community development, security and peacebuilding.

As I looked around the hall filled with women leaders who represented their tribe, institutions and communities — indigenous peoples from remote areas, youth advocates from the cities, and members of the religious sector, academe, and civil society — I felt a deep sense of pride, hope and promise for our nation.

Each of the conference delegates was an epitome of grit, resilience, and passion. Their voices carried a story of struggle and triumph, while their presence highlighted a powerful truth about our country’s women that cannot be ignored, and that is, they are not just beneficiaries of peace but, in fact, are its builders, protectors and nurturers.