Filipina-led conversations on sidelines of UN sessions in New York
Filipina leaders led discussions on women’s leadership and access to justice on the sidelines of the United Nations’ 70th Commission on the Status of Women (CSW70), as global data show persistent gender gaps in legal and economic rights.
The forum, titled the HERDD Huddle on Women’s Leadership and Access to Justice, brought together representatives from civil society, the diplomatic corps, the private sector and the Philippine delegation to the United Nations.
The organizing groups were represented by Ivanna Aguiling-Dela Torre, chief curator of HERDD; Merly Barlaan, director of the UN Relations Office of the Women’s Federation for World Peace International; and Isa Buencamino-Agbayani, founder of Women of the World Coaching.
The gathering also marked the launch of HERDD, a leadership accelerator focused on advancing women leaders in Southeast Asia.
Aguiling-Dela Torre said the forum aimed to connect discussions on policy and business that often run separately.
"Tonight, we are not only discussing policy frameworks. We are grounding these discussions in lived experience, data, and leadership. And we are asking: How do we ensure women are not only present in these conversations, but shaping them?" she said.
Gaps in representation
The event, set at the Heidrick & Struggles office in New York City, was framed around a key question: why women, particularly from business sectors in Southeast Asia, remain underrepresented in global conversations on leadership.
According to a United Nations report cited during the forum, women globally hold only 64% of the legal rights of men.
The program, hosted by journalist and UN Women National Goodwill Ambassador for the Philippines Karen Davila, featured discussions on economic participation, climate justice and access to justice.
Presentations were led by Philippine Trade Commissioner Alma Argayoso, Barlaan and Dr. Fran Johnston.
Listened and heard
Each presentation was followed by a "fishbowl" discussion format, allowing participants to join and leave the conversation dynamically.
Speakers included Filipino-American philanthropist Loida Lewis, SPARK Philippines Executive Director Maica Teves, Steve Sinnott Foundation Chief Executive Ann Beatty, UNOPS Project Manager Rior Santos and UNESCO Center for Peace Director Rosie Chawla.
Buencamino-Agbayani emphasized collaboration in leadership. "Women on their own have power. Together, we have impact," she said.
Organizers said the forum aimed to highlight the role of cross-sector collaboration in advancing women’s leadership and participation in decision-making.
