CEBU, Philippines - The city government is urging the public to participate in the activities lined up for the observance of the International Women’s Month, which started yesterday.
Councilor Lea Ouano-Japson said the activities are aimed at advancing gender equality and empowering Filipino women. The activities are initiated by city government in partnership with the Philippine Commission on Women, national government agencies and civil society organizations.
Among those in the long list of activities include livelihood trainings, physical fitness, seminars on issues that affect women and clean-up drives. The activities will be undertaken daily in different barangays in Cebu City. Those interested to participate may contact the Cebu City Women and Family Affairs Commission at 2536123.
This year’s observance revolves around the theme “Magna Carta of Women, Philippine CEDAW: In support of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).”
Japson said the activities are aimed at inculcating 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.
Japson also enjoin all government agencies, state universities and colleges, government-owned and controlled corporations, especially local government units to come up with programs, projects or activities along the general theme.
This year’s celebration is anchored on the importance of Republic Act 9710 or the Magna Carta of Women, the national translation of the UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women or the CEDAW, to the achievement of the Eight (8) Millennium Development Goals, namely: eradicate extreme poverty and hunger, achieve universal primary education, promote gender equality and empower women, reduce child mortality, improve maternal health, combat HIV and AIDS, malaria and other diseases, ensure en-vironmental sustainability and develop a global partnership for development.
Tessie Fernandez of Lihok Filipina said the month-long activities celebrate 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 those related to the Millennium Development Goals (MDG).
Also, the 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.– (FREEMAN)