Cordillera Administrative Region -The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) here has come together in the effort to further enhance the services that the latter is providing for the vulnerable sector in the region.
In a specialized course set by the PNP, representatives from the DSWD discussed topics on sexual orientation and gender identity, and indigenous women and children as vulnerable sectors. The said activity held in Camp Bado, Dangwa, La Trinidad, Benguet aims to deepen the understanding of the uniformed personnel in handling cases involving the marginalized sector specifically on gender based violence. This is in line with the Women’s Month celebration being observed every month of March.
“One of our aims in the Department is to disseminate information not just on the programs and services that are available but most especially on the rights of the vulnerable sectors so that they may be empowered for them to be able to avail of what is due to them. It is very timely for the Women’s Month celebration that we are able to share very vital information to our partners so that the awareness in the women sector would also be increased.”, DSWD-CAR Regional Director Janet P. Armas said. The Department through the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program also conducts Family Development Sessions (FDS) where some of its modules tackle laws involving women.
On the other hand, Social Welfare Officer Liza D. Bulayungan of Baguio City Social Welfare and Development Office shared that the City Government acknowledges the role of the women sector in the development in the City of Baguio.
“All women have important roles in development. They should be [treated as] significant partners of men- partner at home and in every community undertaking. They should not be left behind, because they can also speak up as women. We encourage them to share their talents and not just stay at home to care for the family and to serve the husband but they should always be involved in every undertaking for the development of their selves, their families, and their communities as well.”, Bulayungan added.
The City Government of Baguio and the PNP are just some of the Department’s partners in advocating the rights of the women sector.
This year’s theme for the Women’s Month Celebration, is “Juana, desisyon mo ay mahalaga sa kinabukasan ng bawat isa, Ikaw na!” # DSWD-CAR, Social Marketing Unit, Nerizza Faye G. Villanueva with reports from Ra Seang Beul and Remi Georgi Solomon (UC Interns)
