By Leilanie G.
Adriano
Staff Reporter
A group of women’s
rights advocates led by Ilocos Norte Governor Ma. Imelda “Imee” R. Marcos and
Laoag City Mayor Chevylle V. Fariñas led the march to the provincial Capitol on
March 8 to highlight this year’s International Women’s Month celebration.
Over the last
three years, the inspiring women from the 21 municipalities and two cities of
Ilocos Norte converge for the annual celebration of women’s month, with a
series of activities aimed at empowering women particularly those living in
remote villages.
Dubbed as “Kinni-kinni
Parade,” a multi-sectoral group of women composed of government workers,
non-government organizations and private organizations carrying streamers and
placards will join the international women’s community to inspire more women to
fight for their rights and participate actively in nation building.
Attractive prizes
also awaited winners for the most artistic delegation, best kinni-kinni walk
and best in campaign slogan.
This year, a
Women’s Health Congress was held at the Sangguniang Panlalawigan Session Hall
at 8 am to 12 noon also on March 8. Lectures on safe pregnancy and
child birth including an orientation about HIV/AIDS were discussed to
participants by invited resource speakers to ensure the health and wellness of
women.
There was also volunteer
health workers who provided free Pap smear, urine screening and medical
check-up at the provincial auditorium aside from parent education seminar held
on March 7 at the Department of Education Ilocos Norte Conference Hall in Laoag
City and at the Hilario Valdez Elementary School in Batac City on the
same day.
Governor Marcos
signed a covenant on March 2012 to symbolize their dedication to promote equal
protection of rights and gender equality for the advancement and empowerment of
women in the province.
As part of its
campaign to empower women, the provincial government has institutionalized the
creation of a Gender and Development Office, providing annual support on
livelihood and entrepreneurship program for women.
The entire program
is in response to the Millennium Development Goals on promoting gender equality
and women empowerment of the national government.
The observance of
International Women’s Day (IWD) was a result of the organizing activities of
women in the early 20th Century.
Between 1909 and
1911, working women in the United States participated in organizing strike
activities of the National Women’s Trade Union League and other concerned
groups. They were responding to the low wages, lack of protective legislation
and the poor working conditions to which women workers were subjected during
that time.
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