The celebration of National Women’s Month 2026 officially began with a vibrant kickoff ceremony organized by the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) on March 6, 2026, held at the historic Rizal Memorial Coliseum in Malate, Manila.
Observed every March pursuant to Republic Act No. 6949 and Proclamation No. 224, National Women’s Month recognizes the invaluable contributions of Filipino women in shaping communities, advancing leadership, and strengthening the nation.
This year’s kickoff gathered thousands of advocates, government agencies, and partner organizations, reaffirming the Philippines’ continued leadership in promoting gender equality across the ASEAN region.
Among the invited organizations was End Cervical Cancer Philippines Organization Inc. (CerviQ), which provided free cervical cancer screening during the event—bringing preventive healthcare directly to women participating in the celebration.
Bringing Cervical Cancer Screening Closer to Women
At the CerviQ booth, women had the opportunity to undergo cervical cancer screening using the speculoscope-assisted Visual Inspection with Acetic Acid (VIA).
The speculoscope, a portable digital cervical imaging device, enhances traditional VIA screening by allowing magnified visualization and image capture of the cervix. Through this technology, images can be securely uploaded for physician evaluation—helping improve accuracy and documentation.
More importantly, the system allowed rapid turnaround of results.
Just like the successful workflow used in CerviQ’s weekly screening initiative in Marikina, women screened during the event were able to:
Register quickly through the system
Undergo cervical screening
Have images securely reviewed by medical professionals
Receive their results through email before leaving the venue
This seamless digital workflow was made possible through collaboration with Care Connect Philippines, whose platform supports patient registration, image transmission, and reporting.
By combining community-based screening with digital health tools, CerviQ continues to demonstrate how cervical cancer prevention can be delivered efficiently—even in temporary event venues.
Young Health Advocates in Action
Adding energy to the event were OJT interns from Health Screen Laboratory and Diagnostic Center, who actively supported the advocacy efforts.
The interns helped distribute educational materials and conducted flyering campaigns to raise awareness about HPV and cervical cancer prevention, encouraging women to consider screening and vaccination.
The activity also highlighted the ongoing HPV vaccination awareness campaign, including information about the HPV 9-valent vaccine, which protects against the HPV types responsible for the majority of cervical cancer cases.
Through these grassroots efforts, the young advocates helped ensure that women attending the event not only celebrated Women’s Month—but also learned how to protect their health.
A Collaborative Celebration of Women’s Empowerment
The kickoff ceremony featured a wide range of organizations showcasing programs that empower women and strengthen communities. Among the participating institutions were:
Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), presenting livelihood products created by Persons Deprived of Liberty
Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI), distributing seedlings to promote sustainability
Small Business Corporation under the Department of Trade and Industry
PATAMABA (Pambansang Kalipunan ng mga Manggagawang Impormal sa Pilipinas)
Maynilad Water Services
Voice of the Free, showcasing products made by women survivor-advocates
Mercury Drug
Angel’s Burger
FranPac Corporation / Dizon Farms
Compact Pharmaceuticals
AN Blooms
The exhibits showcased how gender-responsive programs—from livelihood initiatives to health services—directly impact women’s lives.
Cultural performances and interactive booths further enriched the celebration, turning the kickoff ceremony into both a learning and community-building event.
Looking Ahead: The W.O.M.E.N. Show at Ayala Circuit
The same team of CerviQ advocates and student volunteers will soon continue their outreach at the upcoming W.O.M.E.N. Show 2026, scheduled on March 23–24 at Ayala Malls Circuit.
Organized by the Soroptimist International of Metro Circuit, the event will bring together women leaders, advocates, and organizations committed to empowering women across health, entrepreneurship, and social development.
For CerviQ and its partners, the mission remains clear:
Empower women with knowledge, provide access to screening and vaccination, and move one step closer to eliminating cervical cancer in the Philippines.
💗 Because protecting women’s health is not only a medical priority—it is a national commitment.
