It truly is a time to be alive for women: We can vote, we can work, we can be mothers and career women, and we can also be single, or love another woman. There is plenty to look back on, to see how far we’ve come; there are plenty of women to thank, to realize how much has changed.
All the same, this is not to say that the work is done. This isn’t to say that we’re done fighting for equal pay, for a place in the world that allows us to be less than secondary, and for us to be looked at with respect and treated with dignity, regardless of how we look, what we do, what our preferences are, or how we choose to live our lives. There is still the reality of women facing various forms of gender biases, but we are only just getting started.
The roots of this month-long celebration date as far back as 1909, when International Women’s Day was commemorated on February 28. It started in the U.S., until other world leaders joined in the proverbial, and eventually, literal, march for women. In 1975, declared International Women’s Year, was also the year the United Nations began to celebrate March 8 as International Women’s Day. Soon, it went from a day of commemoration, to a Women’s History Week, until the U.S. Congress declared the whole of March as Women’s History Month in 1987.
While we certainly have all year to celebrate the accomplishments of women, it is also beautiful—and necessary, shall we say—to have an entire month dedicated to it. After all, it is always good to be reminded of the history that brought us here. The history, that likewise, led us to be able to celebrate being a woman in the way we do today.
We can’t be any more proud to see the titles and platforms celebrating women this month, with local fashion and beauty magazines, championing women from all walks of life, and putting their worthy stories out into the limelight. It goes to show how women across industries can break barriers and banner big accomplishments, be it through a non-profit organization, a community that nurtures Mother Earth, a leadership role that pushes for laws that safeguard women’s rights, and many more.
Women in fashion and beauty are likewise taking up space, and doing so with the strength and grace that uplifts, supports, and encourages other women. Because, really, haven’t you noticed the change? The fashion and beauty scene has—and continues—to shift, towards a safer space that’s more inclusive, by all means of the word, and one that’s cause for celebration of women, as they are.
There are too many to mention, but we try to round up a few of the celebratory Women’s Month initiatives we loved to see, across titles and platforms.
Preview
On Preview magazine, in a dedicated series called Preview In Focus, women-led non-profit organizations take center stage. The purpose-driven life, after all, is not for the faint of heart. It requires grit and true passion, not to mention the need for resources, the responsibility of leading a community to do the work—and doing it well, and ensuring that efforts can be sustainable.
Featured are former Vice President Leni Robredo of Angat Buhay, Moha Barakat and Isabel Santos of The Learning Lab, Max Arcebal and Chelsea Roman of Hound Haven, Reyna Valmores of Bahaghari, and Phoebe Fructuoso of PAVE Philippines, each with an inspiring story to tell on how their lives serendipitously led to these advocacies, and how they’ve battled—and continue to—fight against misogyny and other gender-based discrimination.
Vogue Philippines
For the whole month of March, Vogue Philippines puts out a story a day on Raising Hope, a series that celebrates women who’ve become leaders and game-changers in the field of technology, making significant steps in the digital scene. Women in tech? A female CEO? An engineer who isn’t a ‘sir’? These were practically strange or rather unheard of, back in the day when it was all the males who “wore the pants.”
Today, Vogue Philippines is proud to share the stories of these inspiring women: GCash CEO Martha Sazon, Global Convenor for The Ambit Lyantoinette Chua, Distinguished Engineer at Kyndryl Virginia Mayo, Founder of Global AI Council Kate Hancock, and She Loves Tech co-founder Leanne Robers.
Because there really is never enough space to champion the women deserving of their stories to be heard. Vogue Philippines, this month, released three cover stories in honor of fascinating women. First is actress and creative Nadine Lustre, who has definitely gone above and beyond her role as an artist or simply a public figure one would see on TV. She’s used her life story to sow strength, and has, countless of times, used her voice for good: be it to comment on a social issue, or to bring more awareness to a cause she cares about.
Next is philanthropist, entrepreneur, and Hope in a Bottle founder Nanette Medved-Po, who is admired not only for accomplishments, but for her persistence in meeting her goals, be it small steps to address plastic pollution to big steps in improving the state of agriculture in the Philippines. Her body of work now is not a far cry from a fictional role she once played: Darna. If anything, it serves as evidence—and motivation—of what, and how much, a woman leader can do for the world.
Last but not least, of course, is the recently appointed and first-ever United Nations Women Philippines goodwill ambassador, Karen Davila. She shares how her years-long career in broadcast journalism has opened her eyes, and led her to the realities of marginalization, especially of women and children. The stories she’s touched on and unpacked have pushed her to start doing things on a grander scale, which, to date has spanned from providing houses for poor families to offering scholarships to females who wish to pursue careers in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM).
MEGA
MEGA magazine launched its Power Female issue, dedicated to women who are using their creativity for good. The issue is fronted by beauty queens Miss Universe Philippines Michelle Marquez Dee and Miss Universe Thailand Anntonia Porsild. If this cover is any indication, it’s clear that pitting women against each other is out of style.
The inside stories feature creatives including designer Yong Davalos, artist Ayka Go, our very own The Beauty Edit founder Nicole Morales, ice skater Skye Chua, and influencer Leila Alcasid.
Cosmopolitan Philippines
Always the title that gave voice to fun, fearless, and forward Filipinas, this year, Cosmopolitan Philippines celebrated Women’s Month with a Cosmo Women of Influence 2024 Awards via a recognition dinner. The awardees were a list of inspiring women across the board: March cover girl Iza Calzado as The Inspiring Voice, Dra. Aivee Teo as The Glow Up Hero, KaladKaren as The Groundbreaker, Carla Abellana as The Compassion Champion, Angely Dub as The World Citizen, Agatha Wong as The Gamechanger, Pola Del Monte as The Wordsmith, and Janina Vela as The Next Gen Thought Leader.
Metro.Style
Metro.Style recently debuted its annual list of Fascinating Women for the year. Nine women from the fields of fashion and beauty, wellness, entertainment, and sports made the list, and they are creative director Paulina Paige Ortega; TikTok star and beauty guru Marj Maroket; nutritionist-dietitian and social media star Jo Sebastian; plant-based wellness chef and consultant Cinty Yniguez; entrepreneur and philanthropist Dr. Aivee Aguilar-Teo; Sunnies girls Bea Soriano, Martine Cajucom, Georgina Wilson; designer Vania Romoff; Filipino racing driver Bianca Bustamante; and record-breaking TV and film director Mae Cruz-Alviar.
Project Vanity
In a series called #HerStory, Project Vanity spoke with 15 inspiring women in the realm of beauty and beyond who gamely shared their advice on “the most valuable thing they learned that contributed to their happiness.” These women have shared their wisdom on how they’ve overcome themselves to pursue what truly fills their hearts.
She Talks Asia
The She Talks Asia Summit on Breaking Stereotypes was an initiative that was truly empowering and inspiring. The program was lined up with insightful sessions that spoke to today’s generation, and of course, its truly star-studded and awe-spiring roster of speakers: co-chair of She Talks Asia Karen Davila, former Vice President of the Philippines and now Chairperson of Angat Pinas Atty. Leni Robredo, photographer Shaira Luna, host and podcaster Lia Cruz, comedian Eugene Domingo, burn survivor and motivational speaker Larra Francesca Lasam, food content creator Abi Marquez, community founders Demai Granali and Jabba Tantay, GCash Head of Public Sector and Regional Development Cathlyn Pavia, creator Ai dela Cruz, Head of IPs and Events at TEG, Denise Oyog, and GCash VP for Corporate Communications and Public Affairs Gilda Maquilan.
U.N. Women Asia and the Pacific
The United Nations’ Asia and the Pacific arm has spearheaded and leveled up its for-women initiatives this month. It launched “Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress” as its theme for International Women’s Day this year, which encompasses issues across political, economic, and societal realms.
“At the current rate of progress, it will take another 300 years to reach full gender equality,” it states on the U.N. website, thus emphasizing the need to invest in the well-being of women across nations, including Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Thailand, India, and the Philippines.
