For her advocacy in helping the youth sector, Camille Villar joined prominent female leaders, who were recognized for exemplifying women empowerment and in advancing women’s rights in the country.

Villar, 40, was given the recognition for her important role in the adoption of policies and programs for the youth sector during the Women’s Assembly 2025, attended by an A-list of influential leaders from the Philippines and the ASEAN at the historic YWCA – FFPI Building in Manila last Saturday.

“As a millenial and a woman, I know the challenges we face in the workplace and the need to balance our multiple roles as a wife, a mother and a leader. I am honored to be included in this prestigious gathering of strong and influential women, and the groups that celebrate our roles as prime movers in our society,” she said.

Villar said the advocacy for promoting women’s welfare is a lifetime commitment, driven by the passion to serve.

In attending the event, Villar supported the 2025 Commitments and Action Plan, aimed at creating an environment “where gender equality is a reality and emancipation from bondage is the norm.”

Villar vowed to do her part to ensure the continuing implementation of the fundamental rights and benefits of women and girls; to wage the war against unjust discrimination and violence; and ensure their access to proper economic and workforce inclusive growth education, and self-determination.

As a legislator, Villar has been actively promoting entrepreneurship, financial literacy, and camaraderie among the youth through sports activities and other activities.

She also initiated projects that promote maternal and reproductive health for women and teenage mothers.

On Women’s Day (March 8), Villar joined the ranks of former president and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Associate Justice Marian Ivy Reyes Fajardo, Cecille Guidote Alvarez, Cory Quirino, Preciosa Soliven, Dr. Amelita Dayrit-Go, Teresita Sy-Coson and her mother, Senator Cynthia Villar, who were among the equally-deserving participants of the momentous gathering of women leaders in the country and the ASEAN.

Villar thanked President of the YWCA Founders’ Federation of the Philippines, Dr. Nona Saldana-Ricafort, as lead convenor of the event, and Inner Wheel National President Ditas Crisostomo, Soroptimist Int’l Philippines Governor Marivic DS Paras, Friends of the Cultural Concerns of the Philippines Norma “Baby” de Jesus, Zonta Int’l Philippines Rowena Cruz Plan, All Nation Women’s Group President Congresswoman Mila Magsaysay, and National Council of Women of the Philippine Cecil La Madrid Dy.

Through Ricafort’s efforts, the event brought together more than 20 active women’s organizations which discussed continuing ways of including women in the national mainstream and arrive at a concrete action plan that will eventually be appended into the Philippine Magna Carta For Women.(Danny Bacolod)