House Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III called on women parliamentarians across Southeast Asia to push for systemic reforms that go beyond representation and deliver real power in governance. Speaking at the fifth meeting of the coordinating committee of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) on women parliamentarians, Dy emphasized the need for women to be 'future-ready' to address emerging challenges.
The event, held in the Philippines, brought together lawmakers from ASEAN member states to discuss gender equality and women's empowerment. Dy highlighted that while representation is important, it must translate into tangible influence in decision-making processes.
Dy's remarks come amid ongoing efforts in the region to increase women's political participation. According to the Inter-Parliamentary Union, as of 2026, women hold an average of 26% of parliamentary seats in ASEAN countries, with the Philippines ranking among the highest in the region.
