BANGKOK, 11 MARCH 2024 - “There is a special place in heaven for women who help other women,” declared H.E. Millicent Cruz Paredes, Ambassador of the Philippines to Thailand and Permanent Representative to the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) at the regional commemoration of International Women’s Day 2024 at the UN headquarters in Bangkok.
Ambassador Millicent Cruz Paredes (on stage, third from left) with her co-speakers, Ms. Paetongtarn Shinawatra, Leader of Pheu Thai Party and Chair of Thailand’s National Soft Power Strategy Committee, Ms. Cateleya Phatoomros, Deputy Director-General of the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs-Department of International Organizations, and the two youth representatives of the “Ambassadors for a Day” initiative, and the moderator, Ms. Gita Sabharwal, UN Resident Coordinator to Thailand, during the panel discussion on Presentation on Initiative of “Ambassadors for a Day Competition” (Photo by UNESCAP)
Ambassador Paredes speaks at the panel on the “Ambassadors for a Day Competition” (Photo by UNESCAP)
Ambassador Paredes’ message on the strength and value of friendship and mutual support was for the young leaders and change-makers of Thailand in attendance. They were chosen as the winners of the “Ambassador for a Day” competition, an initiative of the women Ambassadors accredited to Thailand, with the support of the Royal Thai Government, the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office, and the UN Women regional office in Bangkok.
On the occasion of the 2024 International Women’s Day, Ambassador Paredes, as this year’s co-chair of the “Ambassador for a Day” initiative, applauded the young leaders for their courage and commitment to challenging the status quo and making a difference for gender equality in their communities and society. In addition to encouraging them to continue with their advocacies, the Ambassador asked the young leaders to remember to support one another. She said that, together, they can accomplish more and get even further ahead.
Mr. Thepparith Devahasdin Na Ayuthia delivering his statement as one of the winners of the “Ambassador for a Day” initiative and one of the “shadows” of Ambassador Paredes (left photo); Ambassador Paredes with the “Ambassadors for a Day” chosen by the Philippine Embassy, Mr. Thepparith and Ms. Nudtha-undh Narasukparipat (center photo); Ms. Nudtha-undh asking a question during the open forum (right photo)
Ambassador Paredes spoke from personal experience as part of the close circle of women Ambassadors who have become each other’s first biggest supporters in their diplomatic work in Thailand. Together, they mount projects and programs and conduct joint sessions on areas of common interest such as inspiring girls to leadership.
Ambassador Paredes also reflected on her diplomatic career and proudly shared the contributions of the Philippines, particularly Filipino women, to gender equality and women’s empowerment. The Philippines’ “advocacy is both historically rooted and current, as well as institutional and personal.” She highlighted the contributions of Filipino women diplomats to the negotiations on the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) adopted in 1979 and the Philippine chairmanship of the ongoing 68th Session of Commission on the Status of Women in New York.
“For several decades, we have championed gender equality and women’s empowerment not only through legislation, governance, and policy measures, but also by the example of Filipino women in all sectors of society, both at home and abroad.”
Ambassador Paredes was proud to raise the Philippines’ profile on the regional stage, which she shared with other champions of women empowerment, including Ms. Paetongtarn Shinawatra, leader of the ruling Pheu Thai party, and Ms. Catelaya Phatoomros, Deputy Director-General for International Organizations, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand. END
Ambassador Paredes (third from left, front row below the stage,) with the other speakers and participants of the Asia-Pacific Regional Commemoration of the International Women’s Day 2024 (Photo by UNESCAP)
