The Philippines will host Southeast Asia’s women lawmakers on April 27 for a virtual regional meeting under the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA), as part of efforts to sustain parliamentary cooperation amid rising global costs and logistical pressures.
The gathering—the 5th Meeting of the Coordinating Committee of the Women Parliamentarians of AIPA (WAIPA)—will be held via video conference, reflecting a shift toward more flexible and cost-efficient engagements.
House Speaker and AIPA President Faustino “Bojie” Dy III is expected to deliver the keynote address, reaffirming the Philippines’ commitment to parliamentary diplomacy despite global economic and security challenges.
The move to hold the meeting online follows earlier adjustments in AIPA preparations, with in-person activities limited to the Interface Meeting and General Assembly scheduled in November.
Officials said the virtual format aligns with efforts to streamline government-hosted international engagements amid economic pressures, including higher fuel and travel costs linked to global developments such as Middle East tensions.
Despite the shift, organizers said the Philippines remains fully committed to its role as host and to ensuring continuity in regional cooperation.
This year’s WAIPA meeting carries the theme “Advancing Gender-Transformative Parliaments Towards a Future-Ready and Inclusive ASEAN Community,” emphasizing efforts to go beyond representation and pursue structural reforms that address long-standing gender gaps.
Discussions are expected to focus on strengthening women’s leadership in politics, addressing barriers such as underrepresentation and gender bias, and expanding support for women-led micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), which continue to face challenges from inflation, digital disruption, and limited access to financing.
WAIPA Chairperson and Laguna Rep. Ann Matibag will preside over the plenary session, which will include country reports and updates on the Women’s Political Participation and Leadership 2024–2030 framework aimed at increasing women’s representation and promoting gender-responsive governance across the region.
The program will open with messages from Deputy Speaker Maria Rachel Arenas and AIPA Secretary-General Dr. Chem Widhya, linking gender equality with broader ASEAN priorities such as sustainable development, digital transformation, and social protection.
Romualdez is also expected to appoint the WAIPA chairperson during the meeting.
Two dialogue sessions will anchor the discussions. The first will focus on women’s role in parliamentary transformation, including gender-responsive legislation, addressing violence against women in politics, and ensuring emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence do not deepen inequality. Former president and Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is expected to participate.
The second will highlight women’s economic participation, particularly policies supporting MSMEs, access to credit, and digital market integration, as well as resilience strategies for women entrepreneurs affected by climate-related disruptions.
Organizers said the virtual setup will allow real-time engagement among delegates while reinforcing regional solidarity among women leaders in ASEAN.