PH to host all-virtual AIPA women parliamentarians meet
Advertisers
The Philippines will host Southeast Asia’s women lawmakers on April 27 for a fully virtual gathering under the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA).
The event—the 5th Meeting of the Coordinating Committee of the Women Parliamentarians of AIPA (WAIPA)—will be conducted via video conference as part of the country’s push for more adaptive, responsive, and cost-efficient regional engagement.
Speaker Faustino “Bojie” G. Dy III, AIPA President, will deliver the keynote speech and reaffirm the Philippines’ commitment to sustaining parliamentary diplomacy amid global economic and security challenges.
The virtual format follows Speaker Dy’s decision to move preparatory AIPA meetings online, with in-person activities limited to the Interface Meeting and General Assembly to be held in November.
The move was made in line with the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., ASEAN Chair, to streamline official engagements for the upcoming ASEAN Summit while responding to economic pressures brought about by global developments.
The shift online comes as governments navigate rising global costs and uncertainties, including higher oil prices linked to tensions in the Middle East, which have driven up travel and logistical expenses.
Despite these adjustments, Speaker Dy has emphasized that the Philippines remains committed to fulfilling its role as host and ensuring that regional cooperation continues without disruption.
The WAIPA meeting carries the theme “Advancing Gender-Transformative Parliaments Towards a Future-Ready and Inclusive ASEAN Community,” underscoring a shift from representation alone to structural reforms that address persistent gender gaps.
Discussions will focus on strengthening women’s political leadership, addressing barriers such as underrepresentationand gender bias in electoral systems. Delegates are also expected to tackle economic concerns, including the need to support women-led micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), which remain highly vulnerable to inflation, digital disruption, and uneven access to financing across ASEAN.
WAIPA Chairperson and Laguna Rep. Ann Matibag will preside over the plenary, which will include country interventions and updates on the Women’s Political Participation and Leadership 2024–2030 framework. The framework is expected to guide regional efforts in expanding women’s representation, strengthening legal protections, and promoting gender-responsive governance.
The program will open with remarks from Deputy Speaker Maria Rachel J. Arenas and AIPA Secretary-General Dr. Chem Widhya, setting the tone for discussions that link gender equality with broader regional priorities such as sustainable development, digital transformation, and social protection.
Speaker Dy will deliver the keynote address and appoint the WAIPA chairperson.
Two dialogue sessions will anchor the meeting. The first will focus on women’s role in driving parliamentary transformation, including advancing gender-responsive legislation, addressing online and offline violence against women in politics, and ensuring that emerging technologies—such as artificial intelligence—do not reinforce existing inequalities. The session will feature former president and Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
The second dialogue will center on women’s economic leadership and MSME policy, with discussions expected to highlight access to credit, digital market integration, and resilience-building for women entrepreneurs facing climate-related disruptions—an increasingly urgent concern for ASEAN economies.
The virtual platform will allow delegates to engage in real time and advance regional commitments while reinforcing solidarity among women leaders in ASEAN.