Women’s Month kick-off on March 6, activities finalized
The Women’s month kick-off shall be on Monday, March 6 during the flag raising ceremonies at city hall grounds, with the theme “We are for gender equality and inclusive society.”
Activities for the kababaihan festival however started earlier through the search for Outstanding Women Leaders (OWLS) of Baguio; with five ladies to be awarded on March 16 at the PFVR gym; followed by a parade for womens’ groups. In the afternoon, through the initiative of Councilor Elmer Datuin, a women-themed concert at Malcolm Square is offered for the public.
In the morning of March 8, city government employees undergo a forum on Understanding Gender-based violence at the multi-purpose hall. The same forum is conducted in the afternoon of March 22 for KALIPI members at SM Baguio.
Still on March 8, women officers-for-a-day take charge in the barangays, in coordination with the Special Services Division (SSD), Barangay Council and Kalipi group.
Life skills for women through the Baguio City Police Office (BCPO) substation 3 is scheduled on March 10, in coordination with District 1 Kalipi group and the Baguio City Young Adults (BCYA).
In the afternoon of March 14, a Training on Gender Mainstreaming in the barangays will be conducted through the Sangguniang Panlungsod and office of Councilor Betty Lourdes Tabanda, Chair of the Committee on Health and Sanitation, Ecology and Environmental Protection. Simultaneously, a Women’s Health Forum is conducted for 50 KALIPI members by the Health Services Office at their hall.
On March 15 and 17, Baguio City School of Arts and Trades (BCSAT) will conduct baking classes for women in coordination with the Technical Education Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and Balikatan sa Kaunlaran.
On March 17, a Garden-to-Kitchen cooking contest will be held with Kalipi members at the fourth floor, CDRRMO building at the City Engineering Office (CEO) compound through the efforts of Councilors Elmer Datuin and Leandro Yangot, Jr. The ingredients for the prepared meal should be from the ladies’ local gardens, it was earlier agreed.
A forum on Gender Sensitivity and Violence Against Women and Children (VAWC) on March 17 shall also be done through the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) and unit offices.
A two-hour Taebo and Zumba, starting at 6AM, March 25 at Burnham Park is offered for active persons through the office of Councilor Elmer Datuin, who is the chair of the Women, Social Services and Urban Poor committee.
Women with disabilities have several activities through the Persons with Disability Affairs Office (PDAO headed by Dr. Samuel Aquino; Lecture on Safety Space Act to Women with Disability on March 20; Gender Sensitivity Orientation on March 27; Seminar on VAWC on March 31, all at the city multi-purpose hall.
Other activities for the month of March are: Free Papsmear and Visual Inspection Acetic Acid at HSO; and on various dates within the month are “Keeping our girls safe forum,” at the Girl Scout hall through the Balikatan sa Kaunlaran and GSP.
A computer literacy training shall also be done, pending final arrangements with the Department of Information and Communication and Technology (DICT) Benguet Provincial Office.
On March 31, an Eco Fashion Show and Search for Ginang ng Tahanan will be conducted with the venue still to be arranged.
Purple Wednesdays shall also be observed on March 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29; as the color shows efforts for gender equality, justice and dignity. – JGF
