Iligan City Unifies in Celebrating Int’l Women’s Day (Monday, 10th day of March 2014) ILIGAN CITY, PHILIPPINES – The United Nations (UN) International Women’s Day (IWD) celebration began in 1975. In 1977 when the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution proclaiming a UN Day for Women’s Rights and International Peace to be observed, in accordance with their historical and national traditions. The IWD is celebrated annually worldwide on March 8 to highlight the social, political, and economic achievements of women in attracting world attention to areas needing further action. This year’s International IWD theme “Women, Inspiring Change,” encourages advocacy for women’s development around the world in all facets of life and it calls for challenging the status quo for women’s equality and vigilance inspiring positive change. In Iligan City about a thousand women from various National and Local Government, NGO’s, Committees of Women have marched in the street of Iligan City to mark the International Women’s Day. The peaceful marched stretched around the blocks of Iligan City starting from the Iligan City National High School Grounds ending at Rizal Park at around 8:00 am March 8, 2014. The marchers showed off their banners identifying their respective organizations and different Barangays and offices supporting the International Women’s Day Celebration. The parade was then followed by a whole day programme spearheaded by the Iligan City Gender & Development Office (GAD) under the City Mayor’s office at Rizal Park (formally the City Plaza.) According to Anita T. Sescon, Officer in Charge, GAD office ,when a woman speaks she is afraid her words will not be heard but still if she keeps herself silent she develops a cold feet so it is better to break that silence and courageously speak , a woman that speaks makes a big difference. Adding luster to the event, the JCI Iligan Dayang Dayang Inc with its President Edelyn dela Cruz and members has launched its JCI Pinay Power. As stated by Edelyn dela Cruz President of the JCI Iligan City Dayang-Dayang Inc. , Pinay Power is the flagship program of the Junior Chamber International -Philippines. JCI Dayang-Dayang chapter aims to strengthen the awareness for women’s campaign and empowerment where its objectives is to support and develop the growth of establishment of women related projects such as Women’s Crises Center. Furthermore it helps motivate everyone in sharing one’s knowledge, skills and talent within the community. ” this 2014 under the leadership of our National President JCI Sen, Christine Garcia with our National Theme : “Change the future today” JCI Philippines will be recognized as a solution provider to the United Millennium Developmental Goal ( UNMDG) that will focus to achieve universal education and promote gender equality and empower women.” Dela Cruz said. Meanwhile Iligan City Mayor Celso G. Regencia in his privilege speech said.” With the Women’s Month Int’l theme: “Women, Inspiring Change and National Theme “Junana, ang Tatag mo ay Tatag Natin Lahat sa Pagbangon at Pagsulong” both themes correlate for change and development and is a must for all of us and is essential for Iligan City to grow and develop, we must evolve to cope up with the challenges of time” Regencia also emphasised that women has a significant role to play in this administration, “they are my able partners in effecting change in the government and transforming the bureaucracy and forming the institution for the betterment of our future.” He continued. “I need men and women in the bureaucracy and all the party to implement and realize the agenda I have committed to the people of Iligan. Your support is my inspiration and it provides me great strength every day. The Mayor addressed the women in front of him “in generation’s girls and women had been deprived form education, opportunity and liberty from leadership and even politics however the empowerment breaks the stereotype of tradition where women were able to access education, if we want to end poverty we have to educate also the women. Remember a woman plays a great role in our society if she lives in darkness how can she illuminate the minds of her children when she herself is in the darkness due to deprivation of education that brings forth knowledge. Mayor quoted from Brigham Young “You educate a man; you educate a man. You educate a woman; you educate a generation.” Lastly Regencia encouraged all the women in front of him to break the silence and they should not allow themselves to be taken for granted, let every woman stand up and rise because you have the right and let every woman be at the forefront of every man’s success. “I challenge you all to be the heroine of your own lives and will no longer be the victims “the Mayor concluded. ### Iligan Web
Posted on: Wed, 12 Mar 2014 05:46:26 +0000