by Ana Maria Locsin
Philippines Country Director
Each year, we join the global community in celebrating the 8th of March as the International Women’s Day. This year is no different, while we continue to grapple with the impact of COVID-19. Today remains, and even becomes a more significant celebration of power, leadership, and achievements of women in all our diversity.
On this year’s International Women’s Day, Plan International Philippines calls for the recognition, inclusion, and increased participation of girls and young women in the fight for women’s rights and gender equality. We believe that building more women leaders starts with empowered girls and freedom of girls and women from all forms of abuse, violence, and discrimination is crucial in achieving a gender-equal world.
Our 2020 State of the World’s Girls Report reveals that more than half of girls and young women across the world have experienced online harassment. With COVID-19 changing our lives permanently and driving digital and technology uptake, girls and young women have become more at risk online and their rights are being further threatened.
On this important day of celebrating empowerment and calling for equality, we encourage all girls and young women to raise their voices so they are #FreeToBeOnline. It’s time we see more girls and young women take the lead, claim male-dominated spaces and embrace their vital role in achieving gender justice and sustainable social change.
We also urge everyone to believe in and stand with girls and young women and help shed light on the abuse and harassment they face online. We can no longer allow online violence to silence girls’ voices. Let us join those who have been speaking up and contribute to making online platforms safe for all. Let us create more spaces for girls and young women to freely and safely express themselves, participate and lead.
As we celebrate International Women’s Day, let us make freedom, safety, empowerment and equality– whether online or in the real world— a reality for all girls and women.