NAVAL, Biliran – Nearly 600 women leaders in Biliran province attended the one- day Women’s forum on Friday, March 13 at the Naval State University (NSU) gymnasium.
Women vice-mayors, and sangguniang bayan members from the eight municipalities of the province; barangay captains and kagawad, and presidents of the WORD-KALIPI from the 132 barangays of the entire province of Biliran; and heads of national government offices and agencies based in Biliran comprise the participants to the forum.
Issues discussed during the forum were on RA 9710 or the Magna Carta of Women; RA 7192 or Women in Development and Nation Building Act; RA 9262 or Anti-Violence Against Women and their Children; and Anti-Trafficking in Persons with Corazon Del Mundo, CENRO-Tourism of Imus, Cavite; and Atty. Ana Luz Cristal, president of Women in Nation Building (WIN) in Manila, as speakers.
Part of the month-long celebration is a field trip for Biliran women leaders to the DSWD’s rehabilitation centers in Pawing such as the Regional Haven, Home for Girls, and Reception for Study Center for Girls; the Center for Youth in Tanauan, Leyte; the SOS Village; Coca-Cola Bottlers, Inc.; the venue where Pope Francis held mass in the vicinity of the airport in His recent visit to Tacloban; and finally, to Robinson’s Place to destress those leaders.
The field trip is scheduled in two batches on March 17 for the municipalities of Almeria, Naval, and Cabucgayan; and on March 19 for the municipalities of Biliran, Caibiran, Culaba, and Kawayan.
The island municipality of Maripipi declined to join the field trip due to the inaccessibility of early morning and late night transportation plying the island.
Participants to the yearly Women’s Month celebration hope and pray that the information on the laws that protect women be used in keeping a balance between what is being empowered and overpowering their partners, and that the knowledge they gained be used in the development of their families, their communities, and the nation in general.
This year’s celebration of Women’s Month is centered on the theme “Juana, Desisyon Mo ay Mahalaga sa Kinabukasan ng Bawat Isa, Ikaw Na !”
The theme is timely for the upcoming national elections for women leaders to emerge and engage in the country’s political system.
As reported during the forum, there are currently 25% of women leaders holding positions in the Senate; 27% in the the House of Representatives; 22% in the gubernatorial posts; 21% in the mayoral posts; 20% in the city councils and another 20% in the municipal councils. # (fj/mltupaz/PIA 8 Biliran)
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