Region 1 Advocates for Gender Equality (RAGE-1), led by its President, Ms. Perla A. Sotelo, Focal Person for Gender and Development (GAD) of DMMMSU celebrated International Women’s Day at DMMMSU Mid La Union Campus, City of San Fernando, La Union on March 6, 2020.
The whole day activities for the kick-off ceremonies included the following: Sama-sama para sa Zumba led by the ITRMC Fitness Team; GADvocacy Talk delivered by Mrs. Elizabeth Sheila Marquez-Milo, Municipal Administrator of LGU Agoo, La Union; messages from Dr. Estrella N. Perez and Dr. Eduardo C. Corpuz, DMMMSU Vice President for Administration and DMMMSU-MLUC Chancellor, respectively; a message from Hon. Justo Orros III who represented La Union Governor Francisco Emmanuel “Pacoy” Ortega III; viewing and awarding of winning entries of the RAGE 2019 CineJuana Digital Short film Competition; fun games; and Serbisyo Para kay Juan at Juana where services and IEC materials from the participating agencies were given for free.
In her speech, Ms. Sotelo emphasized that “to be strong is to be strong together… and when you empower one woman, she will be able to empower other women as well.” She encouraged everyone to pull each other up and lend each other strength.
In the country, the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW), established on January 7, 1975 by virtue of Presidential Decree No. 633, is the primary policy-making and coordinating body on women and gender equality concerns, and it promotes and protects the rights of women nationwide. Supportive of the fifth Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) – gender equality, the PCW together with all other member agencies including DMMMSU, steered events to honor women who are at the forefront of catalysing change; thus, exulting every woman: Babae, pambihira ka! March is Women’s Month in the Philippines as per Proclamation No. 227 s. 1998 and it adopted the 2017-2022 theme, “We Make Change Work for Women.”
Globally, IWD is observed every 8th day of March to recognize girls and women’s feats without divisions, reflect on progress they make, call for change, and celebrate their acts of courage and determination playing extraordinary role in the history of their countries and communities. This year’s theme, “I am Generation Equality: Realizing Women’s Rights” is aligned with the United Nation (UN) Women’s new multigenerational campaign while honoring its 10th foundation anniversary.
Due to COVID-19, other programmed activities for the month-long celebration for gender equality were cancelled. (RMCPajarillo)
