Plan International Pilipinas and the Quezon City Government, through the Quezon City Gender and Development Council Office, brought together around 400 young women leaders from across the country to participate in the 2025 International Day of the Girl (IDG) event on 30 October 2025.

This initiative is part of Plan International Pilipinas’ national campaign #StandWithGirls, which calls for collective action to advance policies addressing the pressing challenges faced by young women — including crises and disasters, online harm, and barriers to inclusive quality education, entrepreneurship, and decent employment.

“Every day, young women across the country are forced to navigate challenges that threaten their safety, silence their voices, and limit their potential,” said Plan International Pilipinas Executive Director Pebbles Sanchez-Ogang.

Sanchez-Ogang noted that through the partnership with the Quezon City Government, the agency and young Filipina girls can push boundaries even further.

“By working with the Quezon City Government under the leadership of Mayor Joy Belmonte, a long-time ally in advancing gender-responsive and child-centered governance, we are ensuring that their voices are heard where it matters most,” she said.

“We will keep pushing boundaries until every young Filipina can learn, lead, decide, be resilient, and thrive,” she added.

The event explored key themes such as online safety, crisis resiliency, and economic empowerment. Mayor Belmonte cited various efforts under the city’s Gender and Development (GAD) framework to address these issues.

“As part of a larger effort to promote gender inclusivity, we are focused on our Gender and Development Framework, with interventions designed to address the full cycle of care — from education and health to social protection and recovery,” Mayor Belmonte said.

“Within six years, we are happy that more of our young women have graduated, have access to better healthcare, and have a trusted community to further help them in life,” she added in Filipino.

Among the Quezon City GAD programs are menstrual health education through Period Talk for Teens and the Batang Ina Summit for young mothers. Safe spaces are also ensured through the Anti-OSAEC Ordinance (Online Sexual Abuse or Exploitation of Children), the QC VAW Centralized Databank, and rescue operations under Task Force Sampaguita and Task Force Magdalena.

The Youth Development Office also expands access to scholarships, skills training, and livelihood through Pangkabuhayang QC, Be Your Own Boss, and the Digital Beauty Academy. These are complemented by programs such as GAD for Youth and M.O.V.E. (Men Opposed to Violence Against Women Everywhere).

“When girls are safe, educated, and empowered, an entire city rises with them,” Mayor Belmonte emphasized.