The Philippines has issued a bold call to action for Southeast Asian nations, urging a shift from merely increasing the headcount of female lawmakers to ensuring they possess the actual authority to drive systemic reform.
Addressing the 5th Meeting of the Coordinating Committee of Women Parliamentarians of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (WAIPA), House Speaker Faustino Dy III argued that the presence of women in government is a hollow victory if it is not accompanied by the power to shape institutional policy.
“Progress is not enough. As we pursue a future-ready and inclusive ASEAN, we must move beyond gender-responsiveness toward true transformation—reshaping systems, dismantling barriers, and ensuring women have real decision-making power,” Dy stated.
The Speaker advocated for the creation of “gender-transformative” parliaments, suggesting that the success of inclusion should be measured by the tangible influence women exert over innovation, entrepreneurship, and leadership pathways.
He noted that true progress is found when the voices of the marginalized are integrated into the core of the legislative process.
“Transformation must go beyond representation. It must create real opportunity—for women to lead, to build enterprises, and for marginalized voices to be heard. Inclusion is measured not by presence, but by impact,” he added.
Linking gender-inclusive governance to regional security, Dy emphasized that women’s leadership is a cornerstone of durable peace and institutional trust within ASEAN.
“Peace is not just the absence of conflict—it is trust in institutions and in the future. When women lead, peace becomes more durable,” he remarked.
To turn these ideals into reality, Dy pressed member-states to move the Women’s Political Participation and Leadership (WPPL) Plan of Action from the realm of discussion into concrete implementation.
He described the framework as a vital roadmap that now requires measurable results.
“We recognize the challenges before us. That is why WAIPA must continue to move from platform to action. The WPPL Plan of Action gives us direction. Now, we must deliver,” Dy said.
While the summit was transitioned to a virtual format due to economic factors such as rising fuel costs, Dy viewed the pivot as a testament to the flexibility of the region’s female leaders.
“While our format has shifted, our purpose has not. If anything, this moment highlights a defining strength of women leaders: resilience, adaptability, and steady leadership in uncertain times,” he concluded.