TABUK CITY, Kalinga – In recognition of the important role of women in the community, the local government of this city joins the nation in celebrating the 2017 National Women’s Month with the theme “We make Change Work for Women.”
In line with this year’s observation goals, the city government through the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) will be conducting a forum on Self Enhancement Skills Development to provide women the opportunity to gain self-discovery by making them know their strengths and weaknesses, understand their different roles as women, and to know their lawful rights so they would know how to protect themselves and their families.
The forum would include lectures on Disaster Risk Reduction Management and Preparedness Training and Assessment , psycho-social interventions and Arts Therapy Workshop and Drug Symposium.
A three-day skills training on integrated fruits and vegetables dehydration and candy making was also held and participated in by more than 80 members of the Kalipunan ng Liping Pilipina (KALIPI) with trainer Rita Codiam. Among their products were banana chips, banana and tomato catsup, camote and ube halaya, mango jam, taro glaze and pickles.
On March 28, the city government will hold the event’s culmination activity to strengthen the bond and promote unity among women organizations in the city, and help them ease their multiple roles in life. With invited guests to share inspirational messages, the event will also feature contested activities for choral, cultural dance and parlor games. The provincial celebration will be held on March 10, 2017 at the Kalinga Astrodome.
The first National Women’s Month Celebration under the Duterte Administration is focused on the following key foundations: partnership for change and full implementation of the Magna Carta of Women (Republic Act 9710). As recalled President Rodrigo Roa Duterte in his first State of the Nation Address, directed all agencies, oversight bodies and local government units down to the barangay level to fully implement said law for both men and women to work together in pursuit of the country’s economic, social, cultural and political developments.
The observation of the National Women’s Month as provided by Proclamation No. 227 s. 1988 aims to give due recognition to the contributions of Filipino women in the society and this year’s observation specifically intends to inform and engage women as stakeholders of government programs and services to promote citizen-centric governance and make “change” a conscious effort to know, understand, and provide what ALL citizens need; create and facilitate platforms to discuss good practices, gaps, challenges, and commitments in pursuing gender and development (GAD) – to strengthen implementation of the Magna Carta of Women; and inspire and empower women and girls to be agents of change – to contribute in promoting gender equality and the empowerment of all women.**By Geraldine G. Dumallig
