PHILIPPINE COMMISSION ON WOMEN AND WOMEN IN MIDLIFE SEAL PARTNERSHIP FOR WELLNESS, EQUITY, AND REFORM (WMPOWER)

*MANILA, Philippines — September 14, 2026* — In a landmark move to champion the often-overlooked needs of women in their midlife years, the *Philippine Commission on Women (PCW)* and the advocacy group *Women in Midlife (WIM)* formally signed a *Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)* today, September 14, 2026, at the PCW Headquarters in San Miguel, Manila.

With the theme *POWER: Partnership for Openness, Wellness, Equity, and Reform*, the MOU establishes a strategic alliance to promote the health, economic empowerment, and rights of Filipino women aged 40 and above.

The signing was led by *PCW Chairperson Ermelita V. Valdeavilla*, together with key representatives of Women in Midlife, including advocates, medical professionals, and community leaders, in the presence of partners from the Department of Health, civil society, and the private sector.

 A First-of-Its-Kind Partnership

For decades, midlife women — facing menopause, caregiving burdens, career shifts, and mental health challenges — have remained invisible in public policy. This MOU seeks to change that.

Under the POWER framework, the partnership will focus on four pillars:

*P – Partnership for Openness:* Breaking the silence and stigma around menopause, perimenopause, and midlife transitions through nationwide awareness campaigns, community dialogues, and digital storytelling.

*O & W – Wellness:* Strengthening access to age-responsive and gender-responsive health services, including mental health support, menopause clinics, breast and cervical cancer screening, and workplace wellness programs.

*E – Equity (Bequity):* Advocating for economic equity for midlife women — from upskilling and financial literacy to protection against ageism and gender-based discrimination in the workplace.

*R – Reform:* Pushing for policy reforms, including the integration of midlife women's health and rights into the successor plan of the Philippine Plan for Gender-Responsive Development (PPGD) 2026-2035 and local Gender and Development (GAD) plans.

 "Midlife is not a decline, it is a power stage. Filipino women at 40, 50, 60 and beyond are nation-builders, caregivers, and leaders. This MOU ensures they are not left behind in our journey toward AmBisyon Natin 2040 — a matatag, maginhawa, at panatag na buhay for all women," said PCW Chairperson Valdeavilla.

> "We are grateful to PCW for giving midlife women a seat at the table. This is not just about menopause — this is about dignity, visibility, and value," said a representative from Women in Midlife.

 What’s Next

Following the signing, PCW and WIM will jointly roll out:

- Regional *"Usapang Midlife"* community forums in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao starting October 2026

- A *Workplace Policy Toolkit for Menopause-Friendly Workplaces*

- Integration of midlife modules into the PCW's *Gender and Development (GAD)* training programs for government agencies.

The MOU signing is part of PCW's 50th anniversary commitment to ensure that no woman — regardless of age — is left behind in the country's gender equality agenda.

#PCW #WomenInMidlife #POWERPartnership #GenderEquality