BAGUIO CITY – Mayor Benjamin Magalong led local officials and women’s groups leaders in the launching of the city’s Women’s Month Celebration (Kababaihan Festival) during flag-raising rites Monday at City Hall with the theme, “We Make Change Work for Women”.
In a show of solidarity, other government agencies also had similar programs during their flag-raising rites to emphasize the importance of the month-long activity.
Councilor Lilia Farinas, chair of the august body’s committee on women, said the annual event is geared towards the promotion of equality between men and women in society, provide equal opportunities for all genders, and eliminate discrimination and violence against women and children.
She lamented that even with the declaration of March 8 as National Women’s Day pursuant to Republic Act 6949 and despite other legislations crafted to protect women, violence against women and children still persists.
“Violence against women and children in the form of physical and sexual abuse, economic deprivation and political persecution worsened by impunity and injustice affects more than 90 percent of Filipino women. These include peasants, workers , indigenous women, urban poor and OFWs,” Farinas stressed.
The newly-elected officers of the Outstanding Women Leaders (OWLs) of Baguio led by president Emerita Fuerte were also inducted by Mayor Magalong including the unfurling of this month’s activities.
This year’s celebration includes the Women’s Day Program on March 13, 8am to 12 noon, at PFVR Gymnasium with RTC Executive Judge Mia Joy Cawed as guest of honor and speaker. Farinas and other officials will also deliver messages during the occasion.
Highlighting the program is the awarding of this year’s Outstanding Women Leaders who will be revealed during the activity itself after a stringent nomination and selection process.
A dinner honoring the OWLs awardees will be held in the evening at Ridgewood Hotel, Lualhati barangay.
Other activities are the on-the-spot art competition on March 6, 7 at Camp John Hay, 9am to 3pm; a photo exhibit, 8 am to 5m, and One Billion Rising dance, 1:30 to 2:30 pm at Malcolm Square on March 8; women’s health forum at the health services offices, March 13, 1 to 5 pm; women’s mentoring at University of Baguio, March 24, 9am to 12 nn; and Pinay Power (Women’s Talk) at Street 77 Cafeteria, March 24, 6 pm.
The role and participation of women on the city’s creative programs at Baguio city multipurpose hall, March 18, 8 am to 5 pm; digital literacy for children in conflict with the law and out of school youth , March 16 to 20, and for women, March 27, at DICT training center, Pacdal; enhancing adolescent health, March 20, 8:30 to 11:30 am, PWU; and a symposium on solo parenting, March 20, King’s Court, Trancoville.
Also slated are a women with disability day forum at Baguio multi-purpose hall, March 25, 8am to 5pm; unit level socio-cultural contest for women at CSWDO unit offices, March 23 to 27; forum on revitalizing environment at BCNHS gym, March 27, 2 to 5pm; and closed door survivors forum on March 28.
For the entire month, there will be an advocacy thru various media outlets; practical skills training and livelihood program in identified barangays and training centers; free papsmear at district health centers; and symposium on violence against women in different barangays and schools.**gaby keith
