Bacolod slates activities for National Women’s Month
BACOLOD CITY — The Bacolod City Gender and Development (GAD) Council has lined up once again various activities for this month in observance of National Women’s Month in Bacolod. In consonance with the national theme, “Babae, tagumpay ka ng bayan!”, Bacolod City GAD Chair and Councilor Jocelle Batapa-Sigue said they have adopted the theme, “Babayi, Kadalag-an Ka Sang Pungsod!” for the city.
The theme highlights women’s achievement in paving the way for women’s advancement and empowerment amid major challenges. It celebrates the success of women’s commitment to pursue equality which resulted in the enactment of Republic Act 9710 or The Magna Carta of Women, a comprehensive women’s human rights law which serves as the national translation of the UN CEDAW, the International Bill of Rights for Women) and the achievements in the implementation of the Beijing Platform for Action (BPFA) and those related to the Millennium Development Goals (MDG).
The National Women’s Month celebration aims to increase understanding of micro-entrepreneurs, partners from government agencies, non-government organizations, academe and the private sector on micro-enterprise development, government programs and services that respond to the issues and concerns of the Filipino women, including but not limited to women’s rights, environment, family and work life balance.
The celebration also inculcates knowledge among partners from government agencies, non-government organizations and the private sector on the implementing rules and regulations of the Magna Carta of Women.
The GAD Council will hold a recognition program on March 8, 2010 or the International Women’s Day to recognize the various partners in gender and development for the last six years. Other activities in various barangays include health missions for women, children and senior citizens, youth spiritual encounter and values formation, food safety and meal management, massage therapy orientation, Operation Family Nutrition (OFN) programs, fora on RA 9710 or The Magna Carta For Women and community mental health trainings.
Partner organizations include Young Women Christian Association (YWCA), Bacolod City Girl Scout Council, Soroptimist International-Bacolod, Gabriela-Negros, HOPE Foundation, Visayan Forum Foundation, SAMAKANA – Bacolod, DAWN Foundation and the Philippine Mental Health Association (PMHA)-Negros Occidental Chapter,