This year marks the beginning of the second decade, being the 11th anniversary of the Women Leaders Network (WLN) which was launched in Manila in October 1996. Since then we have worked together as an effective international network to promote the integration of gender as a cross-cutting issue within the context of APEC processes, programs, projects and systems.

Dr. Amelou Benitez Reyes, president and life-time trustee of The Philippine Women’s University, continues the Benitez tradition of service to the nation as the University’s 8th president and 4th Philwomenian alumna to occupy this top post. She is also the 2nd president of PWC of Davao.

Brief introduction: Gender expert with comprehensive experience in the conceptualization, design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of gender included planning and programs in the educational system, reproductive health supply and working women’s organizations. Extended experience in mainstreaming gender perspective into national and international policies and planning, with comprehensive experience in the academic field, in research and teaching, and as a consultant for project evaluation.

This year, we cerebrate the 11th year of the Women Leaders’ Network. Every year, women leaders in APEC regions have met to discuss and prepare recommendations and have submitted to the Ministerial Meeting. I believe that these activities have played a role in informing the importance of recognizing gender in government policy, in particular, in economic policy. However, the functions of the WLN are still at a conceptual level and cannot exercise specific impacts.

Date of birth: December 2, 1953