City launches 2-week program for women

Recognizing the need to raise the level of awareness on violence against women and children, the Cebu City government through the City Bantay Banay Inter-Agency Coordinating Council launched a two-week activity that started last November 25.

The campaign goes by the theme, "Karapatan ng Kababaihan, Pagtibayin! Paggalang ng Kalalakihan, Pag-ibayuhin! Batas Laban sa Karahasan, Pairalin! It will end on December 10, International Human Rights Day.

The council is a network of government agencies, non-government organizations, academe, religious and professional groups, community associations, youth and children's groups responding to cases of violence against women and children.

Councilor Gerardo Carillo, chairman of the committee on social welfare and services said the city government is heeding the call to act against gender-based and child-directed violence.

Meanwhile, in time for the centennial celebration of the Feminist Movement in the Philippines, recognition will be given to Cebuano women, who, during the Commonwealth era, post-war, martial law and in the present times, contributed to the status of women of today.

A historical recall on the transition of the role of women in society, which will be presented by the Cebu Women's Coalition, would show how women fought through the male-dominated society to be where they are now.

A presentation on the evolution of women from the Commonwealth Era to the present times will also be featured during the culminating activity. - Mitchelle P. Calipayan