Delegation of the European Union to the

28 November 2013

EU Ambassador Congratulates the Philippines as it wins the Award for Leadership on Closing the Gender Gap

European Union Ambassador Guy Ledoux congratulated President Benigno Aquino III as the Philippines receives a major award at the European Parliament recognizing its remarkable advances in gender equality.

The Philippines received the Award for Leadership on Closing the Gender Gap given by the Women in Parliament (WIP) Foundation. Senator Loren Legarda received the award in the European Parliament chamber in Brussels on behalf of President Aquino.

The award is based on the rankings of the Gender Gap Report which placed the Philippines first in South and Southeast Asia and fifth globally behind only Iceland, Finland, Norway and Sweden.

Ambassador Ledoux said: "The award is another milestone for the Filipino people who have shown extraordinary leadership on gender equality in Asia. It is fitting that this award will be received in the European Parliament which has striven for gender equality in all its manifestations over many years. I believe this award will place the Philippines in a new positive light in the eyes of many Members of the European Parliament."

The World Economic Forum (WEF) report states that "The Philippines is the only country in Asia and the Pacific that has fully closed the gender gap in both and health. This year, the Philippines scores higher in the wage equality survey, improves its estimated earned income and has a larger representation of female professional and technical workers".

The Philippines and New Zealand continue to lead the way in Asia and the Pacific and are the only two countries from the region to hold places in the top 10 of the global rankings.

Background Note: The Global Gender Gap Index introduced by the World Economic Forum in 2006 is a framework for capturing the magnitude and scope of gender-based disparities and tracking their progress. The Index benchmarks national gender gaps on economic, political, education and health-based criteria, and provides country rankings that allow for effective comparisons across regions and income groups, and over time. The Report's Index assesses 135 countries, representing more than 93% of the world's population on how well resources and opportunities are divided among male and female populations. The report measures the size of gender inequality gap in economic participation and opportunity, education, political empowerment and health and survival.

Legarda: PHL Receives Global Award On Closing Gender Gap; Press release by Office of Senator Legarda is available at : www.lorenlegarda.com.ph

Photos of Senator Loren Legarda at the award ceremony are available at: http://eeas.europa.eu/delegations/philippines/press_corner/photo_library/index_en.htm