The month-long celebration took off in Candon, Ilocos Sur where the Committees on Women and Rural Development heard the views of women on various legislation being deliberated at the House of Representatives. The hearing elicited women concerns and issues ranging from domestic violence, sexual abuse and employment discrimination.
Las Piñas Rep. Cynthia Villar, president of the Lady Legislators, stressed that there is a need to educate women of their rights and privileges to stay away from society’s discriminating nature on gender issues.
"Despite the fact that we are already in the 21st century, it is disappointing that most people, especially men, treat us women as second-class individuals, not realizing that we can practically do everything they can do, even more," Villar said.
Aside from running the plenary session of Congress last Monday, the Lady Legislators also sponsored the showing of the controversial Vagina Monologues that drew a large following even in the halls of Congress. Celso Ad Castillo’s critically-acclaimed film "Comfort Women" will also be shown.