DILG 6 observes Women's Month
Relevant activities in the observance of Women's Month are being formulated by the Department of Interior Local Government (DILG 6) for the Local Government Units in Western Visayas to observe this month.
Information Officer Ann del Castillo disclosed in a PIA interview that at the DILG Regional office, activities like medical mission, and symposium on women's concerns will be conducted.
She said that DILG 6 will be sending memorandum circular to the LGUs to observe Women's Month relevant to this year's theme "CEDAW ng Bayan: Yaman Ng Kababaihan."
CEDAW stands for Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women.
Meanwhile, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo said during the launching of the Women's Month Celebration that "ang CEDAW ay sa ilalim ng United Nations. Ito ang yaman ng Kababaihan dahil ipinagtatanggol nito ang karapatan ng kababaihan sa buong mundo. Ito rin ang yaman ng mga PIlipina sapagkat dahil sa ating mahusay na pagpapatupad ng CEDAW, maraming kababaihan ang nagkaroon ng kabuhayan."
"Dahil sa ating masusing pagpasunod sa programa para sa karapatan ng kababaihan, pinarangalan tayo ng U.N. noong nakaraang taon bilang bansang may pinakamalaking pagbawas ng diskriminasyon sa kababaihan . Kinilala rin tayo ng World Economic Forum bilang tanging bansa sa Asya na nasa Top 10 sa buong daigdig sa gender parity," President Arroyo said.
The celebration of Women's Month is promulgated under Proclamation No. 224, otherwise known as the law declaring the First Week of March of Every Year as Women's Week and March 8 Every Year Thereafter as Women's Rights and International Peace Day signed by former President Corazon C. Aquino on March 1, 1988. It affirmed the country's solidarity with the United Nations and recognized Filipino women's contribution in the struggle for national independence, civil liberties, quality and human rights.
The Malacañang press report disclosed that this year's local theme, will focus on the need to generate resources to finance initiatives on gender equality and the empowerment of women. (PIA/T.Villavert)