Kababaihan donates TV sets for women’s jail’s ALS program

Kababaihan, an organization dedicated to advocating for women’s rights, has once again demonstrated its commitment to empowering marginalized women through a donation of two television sets to the Correctional Institution for Women (CIW) in Mandaluyong.

The donation aims to enhance the Alternative Learning System (ALS) program at CIW, which provides educational opportunities for incarcerated women.

This donation, facilitated through Kababaihan, was made possible by the generosity of DOJ Undersecretary Margarita Gutierrez and AirAsia Philippines.

Gutierrez, a staunch advocate for women’s rights and reformation, has long supported women PDLs (persons deprived of liberty) in their rehabilitation.

“Education is a fundamental right that transcends all circumstances,” said Gutierrez. “Regardless of where one is or the challenges they face, everyone deserves the opportunity to learn and better their lives. By supporting programs like ALS, we not only offer women a path to personal transformation, but we also contribute to building a more inclusive and just society.”

Gutierrez’s commitment to this cause extends beyond this donation. Previously, she contributed 1,000 notebooks and 2,000 pens for over 400 PDLs enrolled in the ALS program at the Bureau of Corrections.

Data show that approximately 20,000 PDLs are currently enrolled in the ALS program, which provides primary and secondary education to incarcerated individuals. For the 2023-2024 school year alone, 5,596 PDLs enrolled in elementary, 9,286 in junior high school, and 5,983 in senior high school under the ALS program.

Through these efforts, Kababaihan continues to work towards ensuring that education remains a cornerstone of reformation and empowerment, helping women in CIW reclaim their future through learning.

“As we continue to champion women’s empowerment, we recognize that education is not just a tool for learning—it is a lifeline that can break the cycle of hardship. We are committed to ensuring that women, wherever they are, have the opportunity to rise above their past and build a better future,” Gutierrez concluded.

READ: 62 students from Bicol region are DepEd’s first SHS graduates under ALS program