European Union launches Philippines cycling tour, fora for International Women’s Month 2021

The European Union Delegation in the Philippines is launching a few activities to celebrate the 2021 International Women’s month, including a cycling tour, a series of film screenings, dialogues, and roundtable conversations that advocate for gender equality and gender equity.

“It is imperative to ensure the well-being of society and to foster economic growth, prosperity, good governance, peace, and security,” said EU Ambassador to the Philippines Luc Véron Tuesday, adding that gender mainstreaming is high on the agenda of the EU in the Philippines.

“The EU ensures that programs implemented in the country are screened through a gender lens taking into consideration the needs of women and girls,” he added.

On March 21, Véron will join Filipino bikers and other European emissaries, for example, Ambassadors Saskia de Lang of Netherlands, Michel Goffin of Belgium, Grete Sillasen of Denmark, and Michèle Boccoz of France for a fortitude ride named “Empowering Women thru Cycling”.

The cycling tour will begin from Intramuros going to Rizal Park, with SM Mall of Asia as the last stop.

The cycling group will do a short stop at the Binhi ng Kalayaan to feature the significant role of women who battled for the freedom of the country.

A culminating program will at that point include stories of seven women whose activities in their daily lives and pandemic have helped their communities.

The action is started by cycling advocates and women’s advocacy groups: Bikers United Movement, Life Cycles Ph, Pinay Bike Commuters Community, and InThePink.

The EU Delegation and the Foreign Service Institute will likewise lead a “Women in Diplomacy” webinar on March 22, from 2 to 4 p.m. to examine the condition of play in gender equality and gender equity in diplomacy.

In the coming days, it will lead a conversation for writers and editors named “NO JOKE! A Conversation on a Gender Fair, Inclusive, and Empowering Philippine Media” on March 29, April 5 and April 12 along with Miriam College’s Women and Gender Institute.

A series of roundtable conversations on significant women’s issues are scheduled on March 15, on governance on March 22, and SPARK Conversations: Women and Feminine Health on March 29.

These roundtable conversations are led by SPARK! Philippines, in partnership with the US Embassy in the Philippines, the Austrian Embassy Manila, the Embassy of the Czech Republic in the Philippines, the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, the British Embassy Manila, the Embassy of France to the Philippines and Micronesia, the Embassy of Sweden in Manila, Philippine Commission on Women, the German Embassy Manila, UNFPA, Women Inter-Industry Network, Philippine Financial & Inter-Industry Pride, Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative and different associations.

The Institut Français and the French Embassy will likewise introduce the 2021 edition of “IFCinéma à la carte,” including four French-language movies directed by women filmmakers: Angèle et Tony (Angel and Tony) by Alix Delaporte; Le beau monde (High Society) by Julie Lopes Curval; La Cour de Babel (The School of Babel) by Julie Bertuccelli and Tout est pardonné by Mia Hansen-Løve.

All movies are subtitled in a few languages, including English, and are accessible for streaming free of charge until March 10 on the IFCinéma à la carte website.