CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA)--In giving due recognition to the contributions of women in nation-building and fostering better living conditions, the Region 10 Gender Advocates kicked off the National Women's Month celebration with a motorcade, a short program, and a "hataw" at the 4th Infantry Division, Philippine Army, here, March 1.
"This March, the Philippine Commission on Women enjoins everyone to honor women for their contributions to nation-building; who they are, what they are capable of, what they are entitled to, and what they can do for the community and our country," Philippine Commission on Women North Mindanao Field Office Executive Director Lawyer Kristine Rosary Yuzon-Chavez said.
She also urged the agencies and development partners to work on maximizing the gains of women in these aspects.
For instance, the commission wants women to benefit from innovations in agriculture, be protected against body shaming, sexual harassment, and trafficking in cyberspace, and experience appropriate training in job opportunities such as giving lighter weight armor to women soldiers.
According to Assistant Division Commander Col. Ted Dumosmog, who spoke on behalf of MGen. Wilbur Mamawag, 4ID commander, they will make sure that women are safe and have equal access in order to maintain peace and security.
He added that even though women are still the minority in their organization, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is implementing more programs to ensure women's safety from harassment and violence. They have also identified programs of gender and development to protect the women during recruitment, training, service, appointment, and promotion
"I have seen how you, women work in the most, shall we say, pinakalisod nga trabaho, pinakadelikado nga lugar (hardest job, most dangerous place), can you imagine, full-blown civil war in Syria. How you, women, my soldiers, performed in that area, and I’ve seen it and experienced it, you are more resilient than men, sa tinud-anay lang (truth be told)," Dumosmog added.
