2026 National Women’s Month Celebration

128 years after the country’s independence from colonial rule, the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) underscores the urgency of restoring Filipino women’s power and reclaiming pre-colonial values of gender balance. This momentum contributes to the realization of Bagong Pilipinas, calling for transformative change across all sectors of society and government.

Theme and ASEAN Alignment

More than an annual event, the 2026 NWMC is a clarion call for Women and Everyone (WE) to take part and take charge in advancing Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment (GEWE) at national and regional levels.

“Lead like the Babaylans, Filipinas!”

The PCW reaffirms that women’s leadership is a fundamental part of Filipino identity. Drawing from the qualities of the Babaylans—women leaders in pre-colonial Philippines—this celebration highlights leadership grounded in wisdom, empathy, mediation, and moral guidance.

As the Philippines chairs ASEAN 2026 under the theme “Navigating Our Future, Together,” the NWMC strategically aligns its sub-theme to complement the 4th ASEAN Women Leaders Summit. This reinforces how Filipino women continue to lead in governance, peacebuilding, and community development across the region.

2026 NWMC Objectives

This year’s celebration aims to empower women to lead transformative change in families, communities, and the ASEAN region through the following objectives:

  • Showcase Leadership: Demonstrate how Filipino women are already leading change in governance, peace, security, and economic development by highlighting pathways to embody Babaylan-inspired leadership.
  • Promote Inclusivity: Ensure women have equitable access to opportunities and resources, empowering marginalized and underrepresented women—including rural women, indigenous women, and women with disabilities.
  • Strengthen Collaboration: Enhance multi-sectoral accountability by engaging National Government Agencies (NGAs), Local Government Units (LGUs), and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) to scale up initiatives for women.