To commemorate the impact of women in the world and raise awareness on issues women are facing worldwide, NARTDI sent representatives who participated during the Region 1 Advocates for Gender Equality (RAGE 1) kick-off ceremony held on March 6, 2020 at the DMMMSU-Mid La Union Campus, City of San Fernando, La Union.

Ms. Rolyne Mae C. Pajarillo, GAD Focal Person (FP); Mr. Rizalde A. Claro, Alternate FP; and Dr. Adora A. Garcia, Apiculture Veterinarian, celebrated the whole day event together with more than a thousand of other advocates. The morning program started with a Sama-sama Para sa Zumba followed by a GADvocacy Talk, viewing and awarding of winning entries of the 2019 CineJuana Digital Short Film Competition, and it ended with fun games. In the afternoon, a fitness event for Juan and Juana was held where all participating agencies had their booths offering free services as well as information, education, and communication (IEC) materials.

In the speech of Ms. Perla A. Sotelo, RAGE-1 President and DMMMSU GAD Focal Person, she emphasized that “to be strong is to be strong together… and when you empower one woman, she will raise others with her.”

Gender equality is goal number five in the 17 Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations (UN) that aims to achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls. Each year, the Philippine Council for Women (PCW) actively supports Proclamation No. 227 s. 1998 that provides for the observance of the month of March as Women’s Role in History, and March 8 as International Women’s Day as specified in Republic Act 6469 s. 1990.

Due to COVID-19, other programmed activities for the month-long celebration to reflect women’s achievements and battles were cancelled. (RMPajarillo)