SPARK! and partners to launch weekly roundtable discussions on women’s issues this March 2021

 SPARK! Philippines, in partnership with the U.S. Embassy in the Philippines, the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, the Austrian Embassy Manila, the British Embassy Manila, the Embassy of Sweden in Manila, the Embassy of the Czech Republic in the Philippines, the German Embassy Manila, the Embassy of France to the Philippines and Micronesia, UNFPA, Philippine Commission on Women, Women Inter-Industry Network, Philippine Financial & Inter-Industry Pride, Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative, Zarah Juan, AGREA, Lily of the Valley, SCALE, Campus Erasmus Mundus, Inc., Third Team Media, Dalareich Food Products , Love Bohol, and official Media Partner Inquirer POP, co-presented by Carefree Philippines, TELUS International, Coca-Cola Beverages Philippines, Inc., SMART, and PLDT-SMART Foundation, present #Women2021: Women in Action.

 This March, SPARK! and its partners are celebrating Women’s Month through a weekly four-part series of roundtable discussions to address a wide range of issues that affect women’s active, effective, and productive participation in nation-building and global progress.

Looking Back and Moving Forward: Women and the Pandemic (8 March 2021)

On International Women’s Day, SPARK!, will tackle the topic of women’s leadership during the time of COVID-19. This multi-sectoral discussion will center on the challenges that women faced and are facing during the pandemic, and what solutions should be implemented moving forward.

 Ambassador Saskia de Lang of the Embassy of the Netherlands and Deputy Chief of Mission John Law of the U.S. Embassy will be delivering the opening remarks. Vice President Leni Robredo, Former Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales, and Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat will follow as the event’s keynote speakers. Moderated by renowned TV Host and Broadcast Journalist Korina Sanchez and hosted by TV Personality Michele Gumabao, the panel will include Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte, Makati Med Wellness Center Head and mental health advocate Dr. Gia Sison, World Bank Senior Disaster Risk Management Specialist Atty. Lesley Cordero, Designer Zarah Juan and Interior Designer and People Asia’s “People of the Year 2021” Kim Lim. Manila City Mayor Isko Moreno will close the program.

 Looking Back and Moving Forward will premiere on SPARK!’s and its partners’ Facebook pages on 8 March 2021 at 2:00 PM.

The Other Woman: Women and Diversity (15 March 2021)

The second roundtable discussion will put forward the importance of intersectionality and inclusivity for a truly gender-equal society. The Other Woman: Women and Diversity will be an opportunity to celebrate women with diverse SOGIE while also highlighting their struggles and the othering of LBT women as a double minority.

 Former EU Gender Champion and gender advocate Ambassador Bita Rasoulian of the Austrian Embassy Manila is joining this episode to open the program. Representative Geraldine Roman of Bataan’s 1st district, the first transgender woman elected to the Congress of the Philippines, will deliver the keynote speech. The panel, moderated by Rappler’s Sex and Gender Columnist Ana Santos, is made up by Maroz Ramos of GALANG Philippines, Miss Trans Global 2020 Mela Habijan, Miss Universe Philippines 4th R.U. Billie Hakenson, Mikee Inton-Campbell of the Society of Transsexual Women of the Philippines (STRAP), Giney Villar of the #TitaTibx Podcast, and Dr. Helmut Graupner of the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender & Intersex Law Association. Deputy Head of Mission Alastair Totty will deliver the closing remarks.

The Other Woman: Women and Diversity will broadcast live on SPARK!’s page at 2:00 PM.

 Political Participation: Women and Governance (22 March 2021)

With the 2022 National Elections nearing, highlighting the significance of the Women’s Agenda is crucial. Through this third installment, SPARK! aims to educate the public to be critical when selecting candidates who are true advocates of women’s rights and gender equality.

Deputy Speaker Loren Legarda is joining this event as the keynote speaker. COMELEC Commissioner Rowena Guanzon, Marikina City District Representative Stella Luz Quimbo, Kabataan Partylist Representative Sarah Elago, Liloan Mayor Christina Garcia Frasco of Cebu, and Czech academic Adela Gjuricova will be part of the roundtable discussion for this episode, which will be moderated by Ginggay Hontiveros, Vice President for Sustainability of Aboitiz Group. Swedish Ambassador Harald Fries will deliver the opening remarks and Czech Ambassador Jana Sediva will close the program.

Political Participation: Women and Governance will stream live on SPARK!’s page at 2:00 PM.

SPARK Conversations: Women and Feminine Health (29 March 2021)

To continue SPARK Conversations on mental health, SPARK! Philippines, in partnership with Carefree, will end Women’s Month by leading the way in creating a bigger platform for women to talk about feminine health - championing women’s stories to inspire more Filipinas to embrace their femininity and everything that beautifully comes with it, especially in the context of a global pandemic.

At this day and age, Filipinas are becoming more honest, comfortable, and open when it comes to conversations on feminine health. With the help of Carefree, we’re putting women’s issues and challenges will take to center stage in order to empower more women with the tools to overcome and to create awareness about the realities they are their facing as they grapple with difficult struggles, some of which are inaccessibility to basic feminine care and lack of education on feminine hygiene in the onset of COVID-19.

 Ambassador Anke Reiffenstuel of the German Embassy Manila will be doing the opening remarks and Deputy Head of Mission Laura Oexle will be joining as a panelist to share how Germany abolished taxes on menstrual hygiene products. Camille Escudero, Founder of Lily of the Valley, will be moderating the panel discussion. Also joining the panel is Carefree Philippines Brand Ambassador Gabbi Garcia, and many more.

Tune in to SPARK!’s pages at 2:00 PM to catch this episode on Women and Feminine Health.

 Carefree will also be launching its Panty Proud Series with Carefree’s Brand Ambassadors. This series aims to foster to surface holistic conversations about women empowerment, mental health, and feminine hygiene, among others, in celebration of Women's Month. The Panty Proud Series will be happening on March 4, 10, 12 and 18 from 7-8PM. For more details, check out www.facebook.com/CarefreePH

Aside from this four-part series, SPARK! will also be involved in several other activities all throughout Women’s Month. To know more, visit our Facebook page at https://facebook.com/SparkPhilippinesInc.