Mark Women’s Month, LGUs urged

MANILA, Philippines–March is Women’s Month and the Department of the Interior and Local Government has reminded local officials to conduct activities that stress the role of women leaders as part of the observation.

Metro Manila officials have been encouraged to join the International Women’s Day kickoff activity on March 8 in Manila and to mobilize as many delegates as they can.

For local governments units (LGUs) outside Metro Manila, the DILG urged officials to initiate kickoff activities for their constituents featuring the official song and dance for this year’s celebration.

This year’s Women’s Month celebration has for its theme “Juana, Desisyon Mo ay Mahalaga sa Kinabukasan ng Bawat Isa, Ikaw Na!” (Juana, your decisions are essential to everyone’s future, you’re it!).

“We recognize the role of women in ensuring our future,” Interior Secretary Mar Roxas said, as he noted the huge contribution of women to the DILG’s efforts in public safety, disaster preparedness and good governance.

This year’s celebration, Roxas said, pays tribute to women leaders who passionately advance women’s advocacies and take on roles of leadership, decision-making and governance.

He said local governments could use their social media accounts on Facebook and Twitter as well as their websites to post their programs and schedules for Women’s Month.

March was declared Women’s Month under Proclamation Nos. 224 and 227, while the first week of March was declared Women’s Week. March 8 is Women’s Rights and International Peace Day, and is known locally as National Women’s Day as declared by Philippine law.–Julie M. Aurelio