MANILA, Philippines - US Embassy in Manila collaborated with the University of Southern California (USC) and the University of the Philippines (UP) Manila and Diliman campuses to host a discussion on women’s empowerment and legislation. Deputy Chief of Mission (DCM) Brian Goldbeck welcomed guests to the June 5 meeting held at the Embassy’s historic Charles Parson Ballroom.
Goldbeck lauded progress made by the Government of the Philippines in addressing violence against women and trafficking in persons (TIP), the latter being described by Ambassador Thomas as “the scourge of modern slavery,†while noting serious challenges remain.
Goldbeck summarized efforts made by the US government to support efforts in the Philippines, including programs by the US Agency for International Development, the Peace Corps, the Millennium Challenge Corp., US law enforcement agencies, the Political Section, among others.
Keynote speakers Senator Loren Legarda and former Congresswoman Liza Maza described legislation designed to address these critical issues and took questions from those assembled, which included a visiting group of USC professors and 23 USC students participating in USC’s Global Immersion Program, members of the USC Alumni Association as well as several professors and nearly 40 UP students.
Goldbeck hosted the group for lunch afterwards, citing it as an opportunity to promote better bilateral understanding by developing person-to-person relationships.
The article can also be found in US embassy website: http://manila.usembassy.gov/usc-up-women-empowerment-legislation.html