#WomenMakeChange

CITY of BALANGA, Bataan – The Provincial Government of Bataan, thru the Provincial Women’s Commission (PWC) chaired by Mrs. Vicky Garcia celebrates Women’s Month today, March 13, 2018 at Lou-is Grand Ballroom, this City.

The celebration is anchored on the theme, “We Make Change Work for Women” where We stands for Women Empowerment, Make Change Work MCW for Magna Carta of Women and Change – also means Compassionate and Harmonized Actions and Networks for Gender Equality.  They started using this theme last year and will continue to be used up to year 2022. Said theme highlights the empowerment of women as active contributors to and claimholders of development. It likewise zeroes in on the commitment of true compassion and real change.

In her welcome remarks, Vice Governor Cris Garcia underscored the aims of the celebration which are: to inform and engage women as stakeholders of government programs and services, create and facilitate platforms to discuss good practices, gaps, challenges, and commitments in pursuing gender and development (GAD) – to strengthen implementation of the Magna Carta of Women; and inspire and empower women and girls to be agents of change – to contribute in promoting gender equality and the empowerment of all women.

Towards the end of her message, Vice Governor Cris Garcia challenged the women by asking these questions: “Who is going to pave the way for an enabling environment for women to be empowered? Who is going to ensure that the Magna Carta of Women is implemented at all levels? Who is going to make change work for women?

The answer is ALL OF US, in our various capacities whether as government officials and employees, members of the private sector, the academe, non-government organizations, or as private individuals can be partners for a change that is gender-responsive. It emphasizes our collective effort, collaboration and participation to ensure that women will not be left behind in the pursuit of change, development and progress”.

The Keynote speaker, Ms. Maria Francesca “Jam” Acuzar, daughter of Mr. Jose “Jerry” Acuzar of the famous Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar and the Founder and Director of Bellas Artes Projects, a not-for-profit, non-collecting institution that supports and engages with art that is experimental, educational, and as accessible as possible to all audiences inspired the audience by highlighting the important role and valuable contributions of women in arts.

Also present at the celebration are Pilar Mayor Alicia Pizarro, Ms. Isabel Garcia and Ms. Raquel Garcia (Cong. Joet’s and Mayor Francis’ wives respectively), Kabalikat, Kalipi, PWC Members, Municipal, City, and PGB Employees