The Philippines is pleased to join the United Nations, the Royal Academy of Science International Trust, and the international community in celebrating the 9th International Day of Women and Girls in Science.
The Philippines recognizes that women play a transformative and positive role in advancing the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
To this end, the Philippine government is committed to mainstreaming gender-responsive policies, programs, and projects, and ensuring the full and equal participation of women and girls in science, technology, and innovation. These include ensuring their access to comprehensive quality S&T education, technology and skills development, leadership and mentorship programs, and promoting a safe STEM environment free from all forms of gender-based violence and discrimination.
Through the Department of Science and Technology, our country continues to expedite the development of S&T human resources in the country and inspire young women and girls to empower themselves through opportunities in STEM. Our Women-Helping-Women: Innovating Social Enterprises Program is aimed at providing comprehensive support and guidance to women-led social enterprises through providing opportunities for technical consultation, business incubation, mentoring sessions, and funding assistance.
Through our efforts over the years, we have seen an outstanding improvement in the number of women in STEM. There has been a 148% increase in the number of female employees in science and technology over the past 25 years. Moreover, 11 out of our 42 National Scientists, the highest recognition given by the national government to Filipino scientists, are women.
We are also pleased to share that the Philippines and the United Nations recently signed the 2024-2028 United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework for the Philippines in October 2023 which sets the areas of cooperation between the Philippines and the UN from 2024 to 2028 and provides strategic direction for UN activities at the country level.
Under this Framework, the Philippine government and the UN have agreed to work on several overarching strategic outcomes, one of which is human capital development, inclusion, and resilience building. To achieve this outcome, the Philippines continue to intensify employment programs, including in science-based industries, for the marginalized, disadvantaged, and vulnerable sectors, including women and girls to ensure that no one is left behind.
We are one with the international community in promoting equality in science, technology, and innovation for sustainable socio-economic development in line with the 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals. Maraming salamat at mabuhay!