Juana, ikaw na talaga!

CITY of BALANGA, BATAAN – With the theme, “Juana, desisyon mo ay mahalaga sa kinabukasan ng bawat isa, Ikaw na”, the Province of Bataan observed the International Women’s Month with a twin celebration, yesterday.

Early in the morning, members of the Kalipunan ng Liping Pilipina (KALIPI) province wide showcased their creativity, resourcefulness, vigor, not to mention dancing prowess in a street dancing festival. Wearing their colorful costumes, each municipality gaily joined in a foot parade that started from the Dona Francisca Subdivision in this City up to the Bataan People’s Center at the Provincial Capitol Compound where a dancing competition ensued. The Samal KALIPI chapter bagged the first prize.

Over at the Lou-Is Restaurant, also in this City, Congresswoman Leni Robredo rallied women advocates in her inspiring message in another celebration spearheaded by Mrs. Vicky S. Garcia, the wife of Congressman Tet Garcia. During said affair, Mrs. Raechel Sumbilla, the widow of PNP-SAF commando, John Lloyd Sumbilla one of the Fallen 44, was awarded financial assistance.

Gov. Abet Garcia, an avid defender-supporter of women’s rights and initiatives also graced said affair. In his short message, he likewise rallied everyone that as we celebrate and pay tribute to all women leaders who boldly and courageously continue to advance women’s advocacies, let us put forward the vital accomplishments, effective leadership and sound decision making power of the ordinary women, with the end in view of breaking the conventional notion that business, politics and leadership to name a few are not for women; that women are supposed to remain on the sidelines and just play supporting roles.

Meanwhile, Provincial Social Welfare and Development Officer Mrs. Marilyn C. Tigas underscored among KALIPI members at the Bataan People’s Center that disparities among men and women in elective posts and in traditionally male/female dominated agencies both in the private and public sectors are still evident which is partly due to the fact that many women still hesitate to take on leadership positions due to reproductive roles, conservative mindsets and that laid back belief that politics and leadership are simply not the women’s world. Their activity that morning is their way of sending a clear message that women are not just for domestic roles.

With the passage of Republic Act 9710 or the Magna Carta of Women (MCW) the full participation and equitable representation of women in all spheres of society particularly in the decision-making and policy-making processes in government and private entities are promoted and explored. Having somehow leveled the playing field, women now have equal opportunities as men to fully realize their role as agents and beneficiaries of development. Opportunities for women in politics, business and decision-making have opened up and women have started to take part and even excel in fields that used to be dominated by the males. “Juana, ikaw na talaga!”