MANILA, March 5 -- Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo on Wednesday underscored women's contribution in nation building.

"Women are indispensable to the progress of our nation... [They] are present in every sector, every space, and every field -- building businesses, leading institutions, shaping policies, and strengthening families and communities. A nation that truly values and supports women's contributions is a nation that prospers," Gesmundo said in a statement.

The top magistrate said true empowerment is not simply about increasing representation but also about "fostering a system where women's leadership, insights, and expertise are valued and fully integrated into shaping the nation's institutional and cultural fabric."

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