PR-8-2025

(L-R) Australian High Commissioner HE Kate Logan, Ms. Mary Catherine Speirs, Director General for Trade Negotiations at Global Affairs Canada, Malaysian High Commission HE Dr. Shazelina Zainul Abidin, and Philippine Ambassador HE Maria Andrelita S. Austria

26 February 2025, Ottawa, – Philippine Ambassador to Canada Maria Andrelita S. Austria joined the "Women in Trade: Indo-Pacific Perspectives" panel discussion held at the Australia House of the Australian High Commission in Ottawa. The event gathered around 60 key stakeholders to explore the challenges and opportunities for women’s economic empowerment and participation in international trade, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region.

Ambassador Austria was joined by H.E. Dr. Shazelina Zainul Abidin, High Commissioner of Malaysia to Canada, and Mary Catherine Speirs, Director General for Trade Negotiations at Global Affairs Canada. The discussion, moderated by Australian High Commissioner H.E. Kate Logan, brought together representatives from the Canadian government, diplomatic corps, NGOs, strategy groups, startups, and academia.

Ambassador Austria emphasized the Philippines' commitment to advancing women’s participation in all sectors, highlighting institutionalized mechanisms such as the mandated allocation of government agency budgets to gender and development-focused programs. She also underscored the country’s rich history of strong female leadership and its efforts to break barriers for women entrepreneurs.

The discussion addressed gender disparities in trade, systemic barriers to women's economic participation, and the role of government policies in fostering gender-inclusive trade environments. Ambassador Austria also highlighted the presence of Filipinos, especially Filipino women, in Canada who are unable to practice their professions and maximize their education, talents and skills, due to the lack of recognition of credentials in Canada. 

The panel concluded that advancing women’s participation in trade is not only a matter of equity but also a crucial driver of economic growth. By closing the gender gap in trade, economies across the Indo-Pacific region stand to gain significantly, with potential global GDP growth.

The Philippines remains committed to international cooperation and policy initiatives that empower women, reinforcing its role as a regional leader in gender-inclusive economic development. END