The Field Office 9 conducted various activities to highlight and honor the achievements of the women sector in observance of the 2019 Women’s Month Celebration with the theme “We Make Change Work for Women.”

“As the lead agency in social protection, we would like to acknowledge the contributions of women in nation-building and educate them of the various laws protecting their rights,” said Protective Services Division (PSD) Chief Marilyn D. Fabian.

Headed by the PSD in partnership with the Sectoral Unit and the Social Marketing Unit (SMU), the department commenced the month-long celebration through hanging of tarpaulins in the field office, Centers and Residential Care Facilities (CRCF), and in all of the Social Welfare and Development Teams (SWADTs) across the region to show support of women empowerment.

The regional agency also participated during the annual Dia de Las Mujeres parade and fund-raising activity spearheaded by the City Government of Zamboanga last March 8. The event started along the RT Lim Boulevard and concluded at the Joaquin F. Enriquez Memorial Sports Complex with a short program.

For the whole month of March, the E-Media Mo: Servicio Todo-Todo (DSWD Edition) featured the programs and services of the Home for Women and tackled various issues and concerns on Women with Disabilities, Women and Livelihood, and Women Crisis and Vulnerabilities together with the different focals and heads of the field office invited as guests. 

Likewise, the PSD launched the Women in Action Photo Contest and the Purple Your Workplace Inter-Agency Contest. A 2-Day Seminar on Mental Health and Summer Diseases Awareness was also held on March 27 & 28 at Camp Batalla, RT Lim Boulevard, Zamboanga City.

The celebration of the National Women’s Month is conducted every year as part of the worldwide observance of the International Women’s Day governed by Proclamation No. 224 s. 1988 (Declaring the First Week of March each year as Women’s Week and March 8 as Women’s Rights and International Peace Day); Proclamation No. 227 s. 1988 (Providing for the Observance of the Month of March as Women’s Role in History Month); and Republic Act No. 6949 s. 1990 (Declaring March 8 every year as National Women’s Day).

This year’s celebration is also anchored on the commitment of “Malasakit at Pagbabago” or True Compassion and Real Change. ###