DAVAO CITY (PIA) – Around 4,000 women leaders from the barangays, government workers and advocates in Davao City have once again shown unity and support in an early morning march to celebrate the 113th International Women’s Day on Wednesday (March 8, 2023).

The Davao City Integrated Gender and Development Division spearheaded the parade where officers and members of different women organizations, personnel of the national and local government offices, and supporters put on uniforms and accessories in different shades of purple and pink for the celebration.

After the march which started at Freedom Park in Roxas Avenue, the participants converged at Rizal Park where a short program transpired.  

In her message during the program, Davao City Councilor Trisha Ann Villafuerte has emphasized on the importance of “collective efforts towards creating society where every woman regardless of her background, circumstances, and can live life to the fullest to achieve her full potential.”

“We must work together to create a world where every woman is empowered to take control of her own life and pursue her dreams… Let us help together to break down the barriers na nagpugong sa atong mga kababainhan na maabot ilang full potential,” stated Councilor Villafuerte, who chairs the Women, Children and Family Relations Committee.

She also recognized the valuable contribution of women to the society, saying “pagpupugay sa lahat ng kababaihang lumaban para sa kanilang kinabukasan.”

Judith Argoncillo, vice president of Barangay Council for Women in Barangay Gumalang, shared that they were excited to join the parade and be one with women from other organizations as it was their first time to attend and witness the celebration.

Argoncillo bared that violence against women and children is the top issue in their barangay.   

With the establishment of the VAWC desk in the barangay, she said that most of the complaints have been addressed and resolved.   

Apart from the short program, an exhibit of products and services of 20 women's organizations have been featured during the celebration at Rizal Park.

Among the display were bags and paintings created by women inmates or people deprived of liberty from the Davao City Jail.  

Davao City Jail livelihood in-charge JO1 Bai Alliyah Abdullah said that the proceeds of the sold products will go back to the PDLs.

“The purpose of our display is to promote the products and help our PDLs on their basic needs inside the jail and for their families,” Abdullah shared.

She bared that there are more than 400 PDL women in the city jail, and that almost 70 per cent of them is creating products as their livelihood. (PIA-XI/Carina L. Cayon)