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MANILA, Philippines – On June 15, 2024, women from the U.S. Marine Corps and Armed Forces of the Philippines came together to hold the first Philippine-U.S international Female Leadership Symposium at Fort Bonifacio, Manila, Philippines.
Military women of all ranks were in attendance, including pioneers such as some of the first women to enlist in the PMC: U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Elena M. Rodriguez, the first female command sergeant major of the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit, and Philippine Marine Corps Capt. Roselle Anne C. Perez, the PMC’s Gender and Development Officer.
“This event was important for both the USMC and the PMC. This symposium was the first of its kind. Having this type of venue allows for the most junior and the most senior individuals to provide advice and gain perspective,” said Rodriguez.
“As the GAD Officer of the PMC, I would like to highlight the international Female Leadership Symposium held in fostering gender equality and empowering women leaders within our ranks,” said Perez. “It provides an opportunity to network with counterparts from other nations, facilitating collaborations that can lead to improved gender policies and programs within our organization.”
Leaders from both nations facilitated guided discussions on a variety of topics related to the experience of being a woman in the military in order to foster camaraderie and develop productive mentorships among those in attendance. Topics of discussion included mental health resiliency, strengthening gender equality, and combating sexual harassment, as well as other discussions on work-life balance, achievement, career development, and career opportunities.
“Empowering our personnel through education will enhance their confidence, competence, and readiness for leadership roles,” said Perez. “Effective implementation of these policies is essential to creating a fair and supportive environment for all Marines.”
Women from diverse occupational backgrounds, including pilots, communications personnel, aircraft mechanics, artillery Marines, surgeons, etc., shared their thoughts and experiences with their groups.
“Although we may do things differently, there are several similarities between USMC women and PMC women, the result ends up being the same,” said Rodriguez.
“Female leaders from both the U.S. and Philippine Marine Corps value the importance of guiding and supporting the next generation of Marines, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and professional development,” said Perez.
Perez observed that both USMC and PMC women share a deep commitment to serving their country, exhibit remarkable resilience and perseverance, and have a strong emphasis on leadership and mentorship.
“This symposium provided an opportunity for leaders in both the USMC and PMC to set an example and show what right looks like,” said Rodriguez.
After the guided discussions, the resource speakers presented the topic summaries they gathered from the breakout groups to the room. Their presentations served to consolidate the diverse inputs into cohesive narratives, providing clarity and a deeper understanding of the topics explored during the discussions.
“Their experiences and strategies offer practical insights and inspiration that can be applied to enhance efforts in promoting gender equality, leadership development, and operational effectiveness within the organization,” said Perez. “By integrating these lessons, we can continue to build a more inclusive and capable force.”
The Female Leadership Symposium served as a pivotal platform for exchanging ideas, best practices, and strategies to enhance female leadership in the military and defense sectors globally, according to Perez.
This knowledge stands poised to significantly influence the development of the U.S. and Philippine Armed Forces policies, offering a wealth of perspectives and experiences that can shape and refine our strategic directions, according to Perez.
“The main takeaway would be to continue hosting these symposiums. We can all learn from each other,” said Rodriguez. “As females in the service, we are moving forward.”
| Date Taken: | 06.14.2024 |
| Date Posted: | 06.24.2024 15:59 |
| Story ID: | 474625 |
| Location: | MANILA, PH |
| Web Views: | 47 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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