QC remains at forefront of gender equality

Quezon City will continue to remain at the forefront of promoting gender equality and women empowerment.

Mayor Feliciano Belmonte Jr. gave this assurance as he underscored the vital role women play in the task of nation-building during the opening of the Women’s Month celebration at the Amoranto Sports Complex on Roces Avenue the other day.

In his opening remarks, Belmonte said, "Wala tayong diskriminasyon sa Quezon City dahil patuloy nating isinusulong ang pantay na pagkilala sa karapatan ng mga kababaihan."

He reiterated that the city will continue to bring about true equality and empowerment for women.

Quezon City hosted this year’s kick-off celebration of the National Women’s Month and is slated to conduct its own city-wide celebration tomorrow, with Belmonte delivering an address on "the State of Women and Men."

Joining the mayor during the opening ceremonies were Myrna Yao, who chairs the National Commission on the Role of Filipino Women; Undersecretary Alice Bala of the Department of Social Welfare and Development and Cuban Ambassador Jorge Jimenez.

Quezon City is the first local government unit in the National Capital Region to adopt a Gender and Development Code and institutional mechanisms to advance gender-responsive governance.

With these initiatives, the National Commission on the Role of Filipino Women has recognized Quezon City as having the best Gender and Development (GAD) practice among the local government units in Metro Manila.

To date, the city government, through the GAD Resource and Coordinating Office under Mary Ruby Palma, has undertaken various initiatives to strengthen gender and development.

These include an information campaign on the Anti-Trafficking Law, gender sensitivity training, establishment of linkages with several institutions for special projects like gender-based film festivals and publication of a gender-based newspaper.

The kick-off ceremony at Amoranto was highlighted by the opening of a trade fair and exhibit and an "Alay-Lakad," all aimed at increasing public awareness on the importance of the role of women in society.

Takeover at House

It will be a red-letter day for the female legislators as they take over in running the plenary session of the lower House as part of this year’s women’s month celebration.

Nueva Ecija Rep. Josefina Joson will be the Speaker for a day while other congresswomen will act as majority and minority floor leaders.

"This is a once-in-a-year opportunity for the female members of the House to really push for the swift legislation of pro-women and family bills that need to be acted upon," said Las Piñas Cynthia Villar, president of the Lady Legislators.

Congresswomen will lead the plenary with privilege speeches on issues dealing with women’s rights and welfare.

A forum on the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) also top the list of this month’s activities to check on the government’s commitment in addressing women’s issues and concerns.

With the theme "CEDAW ng Bayan, Sigaw ng Kababaihan," the celebration will kick off with a traditional thanksgiving Mass and a photo exhibit featuring the individual and collective efforts of congresswomen in advancing women’s welfare as well as paintings on breastfeeding.

Free medical services such as pap smear and breast examinations will be made available for female employees of the House and female residents of Payatas, Fairview and Novaliches on March 15.

There will also be free ear-piercing for children courtesy of Rep. Janette Garin.

"We will also conduct a free livelihood training seminar for the underprivileged women of Barangay Central, Quezon City on March 8. This is our own little way of helping those who want to earn more for their family," Villar said.

The month-long celebration will be capped with a play entitled "The Four Faces of Women," a dance presentation celebrating Women and Spirit to be shown on March 7 at Andaya Hall.

The short film "BaBae," featuring the life of battered women in depressed areas will be shown on March 22 at the Andaya Hall, House of Representatives.

"I urge all women to celebrate their rights and individuality not only during women’s month but everyday of their lives. It is our right to live and co-exist freely and equally with men," Villar stressed.

Meanwhile, women in Las Piñas have reason to celebrate tomorrow, International Women’s Day, as Mayor Imelda Aguilar strengthens her administration’s maternal and health care program for women.

Aguilar said that the program includes free hospitalization package for indigent women in San Juan de Dios Hospital on Roxas Boulevard, Las Piñas Doctors Hospital and at the Philippine General Hospital, free pre-natal equipped and air-conditioned Las Piñas Maternity Center.

Today, there are more than 40,000 members of the Kalipunan ng Liping Pilipina or KALIPI, a women’s organization she organized.

At the same time, Aguilar also vowed to establish and strengthen the women’s desk in the city’s 20 barangays for the protection of abused and battered women and victims of sexual abuse.

As part of the month-long celebration, Aguilar also announced the city-wide free medical check-up and consultation for women at the first one-stop-shop women center at Barangay Hall of Almanza II and at the city’s 28 health centers.

All health services such as pre-natal and post-natal consultations and check-up, administration of tetanus toxoid for pregnant women, treatment of sexually transmitted diseases, pap smear, cervical and breast cancer seminar and family planning consultation will also be offered, Aguilar said.

The mayor further explained that she wants to fully implement the project in the coming months to make the health care program for women accessible to all.