DUMAGUETE CITY, Negros Oriental, Dec. 12 (PIA) -- The Provincial Commission on Women (PCW) of Negros Oriental has gathered more than a hundred women advocates from different local government units in a Women’s Summit on Dec. 12 at the Provincial Convention Center. 

Dr. Aileen Rosette Felix, director, Gender and Development (GAD) Center of Negros Oriental State University (NORSU), as keynote speaker in a summit, has warned parents to watch over their children playing online video games that can affect the players' negative attitude or behavior towards women as part of sexual objects or games encouraging violence towards women.

Felix lamented that the real concern is that the more children are exposed to the situations where their character reacts violently either towards women or video games unknowingly causes more aggression, bullying, and fighting.

The activity is part of the culmination-celebration of 18-Day Campaign to End Violence Against Women (VAW) which started on November 25 and concluded on December 12.  

The province has strengthened its GAD program as part of its women empowerment advocacy on how to end VAW, said Josie Columna, provincial GAD focal.

Columna said the provincial government through the PCW and the Provincial Gender and Development Resource and Coordinating Center, has lined up programs activities to promote women empowerment   and gender equality.

Some activities during the observance include "Kapihan sa PIA" forum, gender sensitivity trainings among provincial government employees, site evaluation for the “Garbo” awards, specifically Babayeng Garbo sa Katilingban Katilingban, Women’s Summit, Garbo Awards Recognition among others.

On the same event, the PCW has awarded Mariles Escoro of Canlaon City as Babayeng Garbo sa Katilingban 2022.

Escoro received a plaque of recognition and a cash prize of P25,000 from Provincial GAD Focal Josefina Columna, PCW Co-Chair Phoebe Tan, Board Member Carlo Degamo, and Provincial Government Official Dr. Henry Sojor representating Gov. Roel Degamo.

Also placing second and third place in the search are Imelda Patlingrao and Maricel Colegio from Guihulngan City, repectively.

The award is given to exemplary women for their voluntary work in the community which helped uplift socio-economic status of women. (JCT/PIA7 Negros Oriental)