CEBU, Philippines — As the whole nation unites to salute, pay tribute to, and honor women, the Department of Labor and Employment-7 opened their Gender and Development (GAD) Corner as one way of recognizing the strength and empowerment of every single woman regardless of age, status, preferences, affiliations, and orientation.
The unveiling of the DOLE-7’s GAD Corner the other day also signaled the start of the region’s month-long celebration of the National Women’s Month.
DOLE-7 Regional Director Salome Siaton said the corner will aid women and in some way give premium to the value and contributions of every woman in the country, in the community, and in each respective family.
“Every woman has a very vital role to play wherever she is planted by God. May it be as a leader, as a housewife, as a worker, as an employer, as a sister, or as a mother, among many other things,” said Siaton in a statement.
The GAD Corner has a separate table apart from the usual Public Assistance Desk, where all women clients are accommodated and provided with special attention.
Siaton also cited the importance of women, especially as the mother of a household, in guiding each child as he or she grows up to become a citizen who is productive in the community and in the country as a whole.
“I personally want this celebration to transcend beyond what is considered conventional and what society normally expects from a woman. Sometimes, it is when women deviate from and do not conform to what societal standards and norms usually require that they begin to feel empowered individuals,” said Siaton.
She admitted that leading a big regional government agency like DOLE-7 is already in itself something that would test a woman’s worth in a field that is mostly dominated by men.
DOLE-7 Assistant Regional Director Lilia Estillore also said that the celebration of the National Women’s Month does not mean they want to pit the female and male genders against each other.
“This celebration just reinforces the fact that women, with all their potentials, talents and capabilities, complement with men. There is no force equal to a woman determined to rise. And if all women would be putting their acts together for a common cause, most definitely, nothing, not even bullying, could shatter them apart,” Estillore said.
Apart from the unveiling of its GAD Corner, the DOLE-7 also showcased its women-livelihood beneficiaries in a livelihood fair where an array of goods and products were offered for sale.
Chief Maria Nancy Abad of the Technical Support Services Division-Employment Workers’ Welfare said that the DOLE-7 closely coordinated with the University of San Carlos-Kapamilya Negosyo Na (USC-KNN, Inc.), which is one of the department’s accredited co-partners in the implementation of its livelihood programs.
There are 19 women-exhibitors from the USC-KNN, who are participating in the livelihood fair every Monday at the ground floor of the DOLE-7 Building.
Exhibitors, who are all beneficiaries of the DOLE’s Livelihood Program, sell products like cakes, pastries, kakanin, peanut butter, pan bisaya, siomai, herbal liniment, soap, detergent bars, chicharon, health drinks, dried danggit, and many more.
Learning sessions also formed part of the celebration, which takes place every Monday for the entire month along with the livelihood fair. — BRP (FREEMAN)