Majority of Filipinos personally experienced effects of climate change, survey says

 

BY ELLALYN DE VERA-RUIZ

Mar 23, 2023 12:36 AM

  

AT A GLANCE

Ninety-three percent of Filipinos have personally experienced the effects of climate change in the past three years.

Most Filipinos agree that they can do something to reduce climate risk.

A Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey conducted in December 2022 bared that 93 percent of Filipinos have personally experienced the effects of climate change in the past three years.

Of this, 17 percent said they have experienced severe impact of climate change in the past three years, 52 percent said moderate impact, and 24 percent said little impact.

Meanwhile, only six percent did not experience any impact.

According to SWS, the proportion of those who reported personally experiencing the impacts of climate change can be compared to previous surveys on the topic. 

“Those personally experiencing the impacts increased by six percentage points from March 2017 and eight points from March 2013. Those who experienced severe impact of climate change decreased by three points but was offset by an increase of 10 points among those who experienced moderate impact,” it pointed out.

Most Filipinos agree they can do something to reduce climate risk

The SWS survey also found 88 percent agreeing (51 percent strongly agree, 37 percent somewhat agree) with the statement: “People like me can do something to reduce climate risk or risks resulting from climate change.”

Meanwhile, 10 percent were undecided and 3 percent disagreed (2 percent somewhat disagree, 1 percent strongly disagree).

“This gives a net agreement score (percentage of those who agree minus percentage of those who disagree) of +85, classified by SWS as ‘very strong’ (+50 and up). This indicates a very strong personal efficacy to do something to reduce climate risk,” SWS said.

When shown two statements that might best describe one’s outlook on humanity’s control of climate change, SWS found that 76 percent of Filipinos think that humanity could do something to stop or slow down climate change if everyone really tried, while 23 percent think climate change is beyond humanity's control. 

Only one percent of Filipinos are unsure.

High awareness on climate change

The survey also found that 81 percent were previously aware of climate change, while 19 percent knew of it only at the time of the survey interview, SWS pointed out.

It noted that those who were previously aware of climate change increased by seven percentage points from March 2017 and 15 points from March 2013.

SWS also said that there is a “very high” awareness of selected solutions to reduce the negative effects of climate change.

It tested public awareness of selected solutions to reduce the negative effects of climate change by selecting items from the United Nations Act Now website about tackling the climate crisis.

SWS crafted them into localized questions for the Filipino experience, and added a question about tree planting and forest protection.

“Percentages of those aware of solutions to reduce the negative effects of climate change were very high: 95 percent for planting trees in the right places and protecting forests, 95 percent for saving energy or electricity at home, 93 percent for walking, cycling, or taking public transportation, 91 percent for reducing, reusing, repairing, and recycling, and 86 percent for throwing away less food,” SWS said

“Majorities of those who are aware of each solution reported that their families engage in the solutions to reduce the negative effects of climate change: 88 percent save energy or electricity at home, 81 percent walk, cycle, or take public transportation, 75 percent throw away less food, 74 percent reduce, reuse, repair, and recycle, and 63 percent plant trees in the right places and protect forests,” it added.

The survey found that those aware of each solution who reported that their families might do the solutions are 24 percent for planting trees in the right places and protecting forests, 17 percent for reducing, reusing, repairing, and recycling, 14 percent for throwing away less food, 13 percent for walking, cycling, or taking public transportation, and 7 percent for saving energy or electricity at home.

Meanwhile, those aware of each solution who reported that their families are not engaging in the solutions are 4 percent for saving energy or electricity at home, 6 percent for walking, cycling, or taking public transportation, 8 percent for reducing, reusing, repairing, and recycling, 11 percent for throwing away less food, and 13 percent for planting trees in the right places and protecting forests.

The Fourth Quarter 2022 SWS survey was conducted from Dec. 10 to 14, 2022, using face-to-face interviews of 1,200 adults, 18 years old and above.

The survey items reported here were non-commissioned. It was done on SWS’s own initiative and released as a public service.

Gun ban implemented in Davao for Ironman race

By Ruth Palo, Manila Times

DAVAO CITY: Maj. Catherine de la Rey, the spokesman for the Davao City Police Office, announced the enforcement of the regionwide gun ban from March 20 to March 31 due to the scheduled Ironman 70.3.

Speaking at the AFP-PNP Press Corps briefing Wednesday (March 22) at The Royal Mandaya Hotel, de la Rey said that Police Regional Office (PRO) 11 has suspended the Permit to Carry Firearms Outside of Residence (PTCOR 4 or PTC 4) in the entire Davao Region.

She said this means that non-uniformed individuals with firearms, even with complete permits and licenses, are not allowed to carry their weapons outside of their respective residences.

"The permit to carry firearms outside of the residence is suspended effective March 20. So, for gun owners, you are not allowed to carry your firearms outside, even if you have the permit to do so," de la Rey said.

She said only police officers, Armed Forces of the Philippines personnel, and members of other law enforcement agencies on duty and in uniform during the 12-day suspension are allowed to carry firearms. This is to avoid any firearm-related incidents during the Ironman races.

Random checkpoints have been added outside of the checkpoints in the border areas of the region, de la Rey added.

Violators of the gun ban will have to go back to their area of origin or they may opt to deposit their weapons at the checkpoint areas where they were apprehended. If unable to follow either action, apprehended individuals may have their PTC 4 suspended.

She said the suspension is a great help for the region's security forces as this effectively lessens the threat to look out for.

De la Rey urged everyone to abide by the ban and help the security cluster in maintaining peace and order during the sports event.

"Help the police, the Davao City Police Office — to conduct a peaceful, successful and zero-crime incident execution of the Alveo Ironman 70.3, so let us all work together," she said.

Davao durian exporters eye China market

Davao City is popular for its durian. PHOTO FROM DAVAO CITY WEBSITE

By Janine Alexis Miguel

DURIAN stakeholders in Davao City gear up for the exportation of the province's most abundant fruit in the China export market.

At least 54,000 metric tons of premium fresh durian is estimated to be exported this year in China. This is in line with the export deal secured by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. during his state visit in China last January.

According to the Department of Agriculture (DA), Puyat, Duyaya and D101 were among the varieties to be exported because of its "golden yellow flesh and pleasant taste."

"I think the Philippines has a very big potential in the export market, especially with our good varieties," said Emmanuel Belviz, Durian Industry Association of Davao City president and Belviz Farms owner.

Belviz also said that this exportation is both a blessing and a responsibility.

Speaking in English and Filipino, Belviz said it is a blessing because they have a market and a good price while it is a challenge because it is an export market.

He added that they needed to produce better fruits and safer food "dahil maraming certifications ang kailangan (because more certifications are needed)."

Another durian grower, Eng Seng Food Products, shared their excitement over the opening of China market for durian exportation.

John Tan, Eng Seng Food Products chief executive officer, said they are excited because China is the biggest market for durian.

"Expect na kung open na ang China market, target namin talaga weekly meron tayong container van export," Tan said, adding that the food company targets to export 300 to 500 container vans of durian for the first year.

Belviz and Tan shared the same sentiment that the production of quality durians lies first in farmers who were trained by the Agriculture department to ensure quality production.

The DA Regional Field Offices are eyeing areas for the expansion of durian production in line with the directives of President Marcos and DA Senior Secretary Domingo Panganiban.

Christ is everything to us

By Fr. Roy Cimagala *

“IF I testify on my own behalf, my testimony is not true. But there is another who testifies on my behalf, and I know that the testimony he gives on my behalf is true.” (Jn 5, 31-32)

These are words of Christ that express his effort to identify who he really is and how he is related to God and us. St. John the Baptist had already given his testimony about him, and during his baptism in the River Jordan, nothing less than a voice from heaven was heard, saying, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” (Mt 3,17) Besides, he did so many miracles and his teachings were so sublime that one can easily conclude that Christ must be at least some special person.

We need to strengthen our belief that Christ is everything to us. He is the God-man that offers us “the way, the truth and the life” so that we can recover our dignity and ultimate identity as children of God, made in God’s image and likeness, and meant to share God’s very life and nature.

We therefore need to develop the instinct of always looking for Christ, making him alive in our life and patterning our life after his. This business of always looking for Christ is a basic duty of ours, a grave responsibility, in fact. Without him, we would just be on our own, relying simply on our own light and powers that, no matter how excellent, can never accomplish our real ultimate need of our own salvation, our own perfection as a person and as a child of God.

We need to look for Christ so we can find him, and in finding him, we can start to love and serve him which is what we are expected to do to be ‘another Christ’ as we ought. This has basis on what Christ himself said: “Ask and it will be given to you. Seek and you will find. Knock and the door will be opened to you…” (Mt 7,7)

And finding him means that we make Christ alive in our life. He is not just a historical figure. Let’s remember that before he went up to heaven, he promised the coming of the Holy Spirit who would bring to us everything that Christ did and said. More than that, the Holy Spirit brings Christ alive in us.

We just have to remember that with Christ, it is not enough to know him. We also have to love him. With Christ, to know him truly is to love him also. In fact, we cannot say we really know him unless we love him too. 

With him, these two spiritual operations of ours merge into a unity, although they have different directions. In knowing, the object known is in the knower. It has an inward movement. The knower possesses the known object. 

In loving, the lover is in the beloved. It has an outward movement. It is the beloved that possesses the lover. The lover gets identified with the beloved. The lover becomes what he loves. When we love Christ, we are with him, and become one with him.

For this, we need to exercise our faith to the hilt. When we exercise our faith, we enter into a reality that goes beyond what we simply can see and touch and understand. With faith we can have hope in pursuing our ultimate goal of becoming like Christ. With faith we can manage to live the highest virtue, which is charity, with God as its object and others as its unavoidable co-object.

* Chaplain Center for Industrial Technology and Enterprise (CITE), Talamban, Cebu City

Email: roycimagala@gmail.com

Onward to being a tourism powerhouse?

BY MANILA BULLETIN

  

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The headline is a question because it remains to be seen if our country is truly serious in becoming a tourism powerhouse. Words, plans, even a President’s directive are all “niceties,” but are we truly ready to match the tourism prowess of Bangkok, Bali, or Hong Kong? Are we putting money where our mouth is? Or are we just daydreaming?

The recent presentation of a “2023-2028 National Tourism Development Plan (NTDP)” is noteworthy, in a way that there will be a blueprint in the coming years on how our tourism sector will be directed and developed. Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco’s optimistic assertion of making the country “a tourism powerhouse in Asia in the next five years” is admirable that it should only be natural for all Filipinos to get behind this plan and throw in their support.

The challenges, however, are gargantuan. The lack of airports and road infrastructure in emerging tourism areas, the shortage of hotel rooms for the events industry, and the various perils to safety and security are not something that can be solved in five years’ time. And there are the “irritants” that continue to hound tourism — inefficiency among airport personnel, shortage of skilled hospitality workers, lack of internet access, etc.

Frasco, to her credit, is cognizant of these negative conditions and the need for action to address each one. During the NTDP launch, she said, “We can only truly transform the Philippine tourism industry if we address the prevailing challenges that we face continually across our regions,” noting that the Department of Tourism (DOT) intends to “establish a tourism industry anchored on Filipino culture, heritage, and identity, which aims to be sustainable, resilient, and competitive."

The roadmap, presented by Frasco, identified seven measures to achieve the goal to be a tourism powerhouse, and part of it is improving infrastructure and accessibility. She said the DOT is “working with the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to negotiate more routes for air and sea travel.”

Under the NTDP, Frasco said DOT will “focus on digitalization, enhancement of the overall tourist experience by incentivizing sustainable travel, and improving safety and security in destinations, etc.” The agency will also tap LGUs in developing more tourist sites and linking emerging ones to key destinations.
“This NTDP will serve as a blueprint for the strategies on how the DOT intends to continue and to grow the impact of tourism upon our economy in the next few years. This will be the guidebook of the industry where we put in place mechanisms for sustainability for many years to come,” Frasco said.

Amid the challenges is good news for the tourism sector. In a statement, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has announced that “a total of ₱17.7 billion has been allocated in this year’s national budget to fund the Tourism Road Infrastructure Program (TRIP) — this amount is ₱602 million higher than the ₱17.087 billion from last year’s budget.”

This shows that this administration is serious in providing funding support to vital infrastructure projects, which serve as the backbone of the economy and the tourism industry.

So, to answer the question: “Are we headed to becoming a tourism powerhouse?” Based on the plans of the DOT, with funding from the DBM to arm it, and with an administration determined to doubling — or tripling — tourist arrivals, then there is no need to doubt this lofty goal. But again, there’s much work to do and we should’ve already started yesterday.

PBBM calls for respect, understanding as Ramadan starts

BY ARGYLL CYRUS GEDUCOS

Mar 23, 2023 09:27 AM

  

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AT A GLANCE

• Muslims worldwide observe Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, as a month of fasting, prayer, reflection, and community.

• Fasting is considered an act of worship and holds great spiritual significance. It likewise reminds them that God is the source of all sustenance.

• Featured photo: Muslims say their earlier prayer inside the Manila Golden Mosque on the first day of Ramadan, March 23, 2023. (Juan Carlo de Vela)

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President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. has reminded Filipinos about the importance of respect, understanding, and love in a culturally diverse country such as the Philippines, as Filipino Muslims mark the start of the Holy Month of Ramadan on Thursday, March 23.

"In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful, I join the Filipino Muslim community here and around the world as they welcome and observe the Holy Month of Ramadan," his message read.

Muslims worldwide observe Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, as a month of fasting, prayer, reflection, and community.

Fasting is considered an act of worship and holds great spiritual significance. It likewise reminds them that God is the source of all sustenance.

According to the President, this season of fasting, prayer, and almsgiving is an opportune time to embody the values of discipline, reverence, and humility.

"The spiritual belief that the gate of Heaven is open during this sacred month calls upon our brothers and sisters to purify their souls against the perils of worldly pleasures as well as seek for forgiveness and peace," he said.

In between thanking the Almighty for answered prayers and asking for sustained graces, President Marcos urged Filipinos to also pray for those in deep distress caused by hunger, natural calamities, and unfavorable circumstances.

"The rituals and services during Ramadan remind us of our shared moral obligation-- regardless of faith-- to compassionately take care of each other, uphold our human dignity, and stand in solidarity," he said.

"As a nation enriched with cultural diversity, let us allow our hearts to embrace the profound truth that respect conquers divisions, understanding obliterates prejudice, and love prevails over all," he added.

The Presidential Communications Office (PCO) also wished for a peaceful observation of Ramadan.

"Hangad namin ang isang mapayapa at makabuluhang buwan para sa ating mga kapatid na Muslim bilang pagkakataon na mag-ayuno at magnilay-nilay bilang bahagi rin ng pagkakaisa natin para sa ating komunidad at bansa (We wish for a peaceful and meaningful month for Muslim brothers and sisters as this serves as an opportunity to fast and reflect as part of our unity for our community and country)," it said.

MOVIEGOER: Cinema '76 new QC home: Cozier, classier, so comfy

BY NESTOR CUARTERO

Mar 23, 2023 07:51 AM

  

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AT A GLANCE

• TBA Studios President and COO Daphne O. Chiu says Cinema ’76 is ideal for private film screenings, media launches, talkbacks and workshops, live viewing parties, intimate shows, music gigs, gaming events, etc.

• It is also available for theatrical releases, block screenings, cinema rental, film festival venue, premieres, and other special events.

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Janine Gutierrez (Facebook)

Young people, film lovers, and other serious cinephiles have found a new home (how beautiful!) on Tomas Morato Avenue, the heart of the country’s entertainment capital, Quezon City, with the formal opening of Cinema ’76 Café on March 18.

The new Cinema ’76 is a combination of micro-cinema and coffee shop situated in a more sophisticated section of the city.

For one, the Cinema’s new location offers more breathing space and easy accessibility. It has a wide, open-air patio where guests can unwind with a meal or coffee after watching a movie. Both indoor and outdoor dining options are available.

TBA Studios President and COO Daphne O. Chiu says Cinema ’76 is ideal for private film screenings, media launches, talkbacks and workshops, live viewing parties, intimate shows, music gigs, gaming events, etc.

It is also available for theatrical releases, block screenings, cinema rental, film festival venue, premieres, and other special events.

We take note, in particular, of the Cinema’s signature couches, which are like two-in-one love seats, allowing for a cozier ambiance.

Daphne O. Chiu

xxx

Cinema ’76, described as a multi-purpose creative space, is the pioneer micro-cinema in the country, first opened in June 2021 in Anonas, Quezon City.

It was established to celebrate Cinema ’76 Film Society, an informal group of film enthusiasts.
Its new address is on the second and top floor of a low-rise, a short distance from ABS-CBN.

With cinema and theater as themes, Chefs Gene and Gino Gonzalez of the Center for Asian Culinary Studies, designed the café’s menu, taking into consideration the spirit of Cinema ’76 Film Society.

The menu covers a wide range, from cocktails, coffee, and comfort food, spanning American, Italian, Asian cuisines.

Certain orders can also be brought into the theater to complete the movie-watching experience.

At the full-house event, Chef Gene told me, "We have a good mix of new and familiar flavors.” Some dishes reminded me of my favorite Gonzales bistro, the now-classic Café Ysabel in San Juan.

On the menu are dishes called "Luna," chicken tocino with salted egg relish and tomatoes; "Del Pilar," adobo flakes, cream cheese, and pickled onions; and "Quezon," chicken inasal with tomatoes.

There are also various versions of pasta, Truffle Fries, Mozzarella Sticks, Croquettes, Nachos, bistro dishes, theater snacks.

Spotted on opening night were Janine Gutierez (who helped cut the ceremonial ribbon), Robert Sena, Laurice Guillen, Ina Feleo, Mercedes Cabral.

A Lion Dance and Movie Trivia Quiz served as event highlights.

Cinema ’76 is now fully operational, with regular screenings of carefully curated films from a wide range of sources.

Check out Cinema ’76 website for the screening schedule.

LTO sets maximum fees for driving courses, allows opening of more driving schools

BY AARON RECUENCO

Mar 22, 2023 11:36 AM

  

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AT A GLANCE

• The maximum prescribed fees for both Theoretical and Practical Driving Courses are P3,500 for motorcycles and P5,000 for light vehicles

• The new fees will take effect on April 15, 2023

• The LTO also allows filing of application for individuals and groups that wish to open driving schools in the country

• Currently, there are 1,400 driving schools in the Philippines

• photos: LTO

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Barely a month after committing to address the high fees being charged by driving schools to their clients, the Land Transportation Office (LTO) issued on Wednesday, March 22, maximum fees that should be charged for both the theoretical and practical driving courses.

From the range of P9,000 to P15,000 before, LTO chief Jose Arturo “JayArt” Tugade said the fees for both the Theoretical Driving Course (TDC) and Practical Driving Course (PDC) were cut by over 50 percent.

TDC focuses more on classroom discussion on the rules and regulations on road safety while PDC focuses on actual driving. 

Based on the guidelines issued by the Technical Working Group of the LTO headed by Kathleen Deann Salayog, the maximum prescribed payment for both the TDC for motorcycles (Driving License Codes A and A1)  and light vehicles (DL Codes B, B1, B2) is P1,000.

For PDC, the maximum fee for motorcycles is P2,500 and P4,000 for light vehicles. 

Tugade said that if the driving schools offer a bundle or package for both the TDC and PDC, the maximum amount that should be charged must not exceed P3,500 for motorcycles and P5,000 for light vehicles.

The standardization of the payment of driving schools, according to Tugade, will be effective on April 15 this year.

“This is our response to numerous complaints that we have been receiving about the high fees and varying fees being charged by driving schools across the country. This is proof that we are listening to the people’s suggestions and complaints,” said Tugade in a press briefing.

Last month, Tugade committed to address the complaints regarding the high fees being charged by the driving schools—complaints that are also the subject of discussions in social media and prompted Pampanga 4th District Rep. Ana York Bondoc to call out the LTO for what she described as an anti-poor policy

The LTO only charges a minimal fee in securing driver’s license—P250 for student permit (P100 for application fee and P150 for student permit fee) and  P685 for the regular driver’s license (P585 for the license fee and P100 for application fee). 

But it is the mandatory requirement that those who want to secure a student permit and driver’s license must undergo Theoretical Driving Course (TDC) and Practical Driving Course (PDC) that resulted in an applicant shelling out P9,000 to P15,000—and even higher for some.

Why they agreed

Salayog said the guideline set by the LTO was based on their own study, including the cost of operating a driving school and prevailing inflation in various areas.

During the consultation they made, Salayog said there were some suggestions from the representatives of driving schools to raise the maximum fees—suggestions that were rejected since the LTO has its own study on the matter.

LTO Region 3 Director Glorioso Daniel Martinez said one of the reasons why the driving schools agreed to limit the maximum fees for both TDC and PDC is that they are now allowed to accept more applicants.

During the pandemic, he said the driving schools can only allow a maximum of 20 applicants.

“But with the lifting of the Covid-19 restrictions, they can now accept a maximum of 40 students,” said Martinez.

The penalties 

The operation of driving schools in the country is governed by accreditation from the LTO.

In case there is a violation of the maximum fees for TDC and PDC, Tugade said the penalty for first offense is P50,000 and suspension of six months while the second offense has P100,000 penalty and one year suspension.

For the third offense, he said the penalty is revocation of the accreditation, which means that the driving schools which committed three violations would no longer be allowed to operate.

The catch 

While the LTO set the uniform maximum fees that should be charged by the driving schools nationwide, Tugade said there is a provision in the Omnibus Guideline that driving schools can appeal the fees.

The major consideration for the inclusion of the provision on review, he said, is that the prevailing inflation in a certain region must also be considered. 

Lifting of moratorium

In the press briefing, Tugade also announced that starting Thursday, March 23, the LTO will also lift the moratorium for the restriction in the opening of driving schools.

This means, he explained, that individuals and groups can start submitting applications to open driving schools.

Currently, Salayog said there are 1,400 driving schools operating across the country.

De La Salle dumps NU to sweep first round of UAAP women’s volleyball

BY NIKOLE JAVIER

Mar 22, 2023 4:10 PM

  

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AT A GLANCE

• The Lady Spikers shrugged off the Lady Bulldogs’ resistance in the third set to complete the swift victory and improved to a perfect 7-0 card.

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De La Salle got back at its Season 84 tormentor National University with a 25-10, 25-15, 25-21 rout to sweep the first round of the UAAP Season 85 women’s volleyball tournament on Wednesday, March 22, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

The Lady Spikers shrugged off the Lady Bulldogs’ resistance in the third set to complete the swift victory and remained perfect with a 7-0 card.

Super rookie Angel Canino carried out a team-high 14 points, while Fifi Sharma and Jolina Dela Cruz contributed 12 and 11, respectively.

***De La Salle ends its head-to-head misery over reigning champion National University to stay perfect with a 7-0 record in the UAAP Season 85 women's vollryball. (UAAP Media)***

The Lady Spikers have not won against the Lady Bulldogs since March 2019 in Season 81.

Tied at 16-all in the third set after Evangeline Alinsug’s crosscourt attack, La Salle remained unfazed and went on a 3-0 run to extend the lead by three, 19-16.

From then on, the Lady Bulldogs wouldn't be able to cash in on their might as Thea Gagate sent the Lady Spikers to the match point, 24-20.

Bella Belen saved one match point with a through-the-block kill but Dela Cruz' crosscourt attack ultimately punctuated the match.

La Salle leaned on its defensive scheme with 12 blocks compared to NU’s four. The Season 84 finalists were also able to limit their unforced errors to only 11, less than nine to NU’s 20.

“Di ko inaasahan ‘yong na-straight sets namin sila. Sabi ko nga sa mga bata stick to the plan kung ano ‘yong plano natin na ginawa sa training. They played with pride di pwedeng magpapa-intimidate tayo. Nu’ng last year hindi tayo nakakuha ng set. Different team na tayo ngayon,” said interim head coach Noel Orcullo.

Belen paced the reigning champion with 12 points built on 11 attacks and a block as it snapped its three-game winning streak for a 5-2 record to end its own first round campaign.

THE WORLD NEEDS EMPOWERING WOMEN

By: Klaus Döring, Davao City/Philippines

"It took me quite a long time to develop a voice, and now that I have it, I am not going to be silent."
Madeleine Albright

Madeleine Korbel Albright was nominated to be the first woman Secretary of State by President William Jefferson Clinton on December 5, 1996, confirmed by the U.S. Senate on January 22, 1997, and sworn in the next day. She served in the position for four years and ended her service on January 20, 2001.

Women’s empowerment can be defined as promoting women’s sense of self-worth, their ability to determine their own choices, and their right to influence social change for themselves and others. 

It is closely aligned with female empowerment – a fundamental human right that’s also key to achieving a more peaceful, prosperous world.

In Western countries, female empowerment is often associated with specific phases of the women’s rights movement in history. This movement tends to be split into three waves, the first beginning in the 19th and early 20th century where suffrage was a key feature. The second wave of the 1960s included the sexual revolution and the role of women in society. Third wave feminism is often seen as beginning in the 1990s.

Women’s empowerment and promoting women’s rights have emerged as a part of a major global movement and are continuing to break new ground in recent years. Days like International Women’s Empowerment Day are also gaining momentum.

But despite a great deal of progress, women and girls continue to face discrimination and violence in every part of the world.

Empowering women is essential to the health and social development of families, communities and countries.

When women are living safe, fulfilled and productive lives, they can reach their full potential, contributing their skills to the workforce and can raise happier and healthier children. They are also able to help fuel sustainable economies and benefit societies and humanity at large.

To overcome these situations and to have an independent role in society, women's empowerment is needed. Empowering women is the fundamental right of women. They can have equal rights to participate in education, society, economics, and politics. They are allowed to have higher education and treated in the same way like men.

Feminism is not a dirty word, but it’s certainly been seen that way throughout history.

Thankfully, there are plenty of women who have fought for equality, even in the face of discrimination, violence and more. From securing the right to vote to our continuing fights for pay equality and for action to be taken on climate change, it’s women who are leading the way. 

Annie Lennox, singer and political activist said: “We all fight over what the label 'feminism' means, but for me it's about empowerment. It's not about being more powerful than men - it's about having equal rights with protection, support, justice. It's about very basic things. It's not a badge like a fashion item.”

My empowering woman is my wife Rossana Balcom-Döring. For four decades now! We are celebrating our Rubin-anniversary. Allow me to use a typical saying: "Behind every successful man stays a  woman!"