Trump praises PH’s gender equality efforts

FILE: As the Philippines continues to be a global leader in fostering gender equality, United States President Donald Trump on Friday praised the country for its progressive efforts to promote women empowerment and address gender inequality. (Photo by Gage Skidmore/Flickr, CC BY-SA 2.0)

MANILA — As the Philippines continues to be a global leader in fostering gender equality, United States President Donald Trump on Friday praised the country for its progressive efforts to promote women empowerment and address gender inequality.

The US president lauded the Philippines’ continued top ranking in the World Economic Forum (WEF) in terms of addressing gender gaps.

“The Philippines has emerged as a proud nation of strong and devout families,” said Trump during his speech at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, being held at the Ariyana Da Nang Exhibition Center in Vietnam.

“For 11 consecutive years, the World Economic Forum has ranked the Philippines first among Asian countries in closing the gender gap and embracing women leaders in business and in politics,” he added.

President Rodrigo Duterte has delivered his keynote address before the APEC summit last Thursday afternoon.

According to the 2017 Global Gender Gap Index, the country has maintained its status of having the narrowest gender gap in Asia, earning a score of 0.790.

Manila, however, dipped to 10th place from seventh place last year.

A total of 144 countries were ranked in the gender equality indicator by analyzing women’s participation rates and gaps between men and women in education, health, politics and economy.

The Philippines is among the first countries to produce a female president, Corazon Aquino in 1986.

Eighteen years later, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo was elected as the highest official of the land for a full six-year term.

The incumbent Vice President is also a woman, Leni Robredo.

The WEF survey also measured other indicators, including health and survival, educational attainment, economic opportunity, and political empowerment.

The country took the helm in terms of educational attainment indicator, while it climbed four notches in the political empowerment indicator.