Cordillera Administrative Region- The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) here has noted the active participation of women in its programs particularly in Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program and Kapit- Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (Kalahi-CIDSS) Project.
“Our data shows that women are continuously taking part in our programs. From home makers, they now work in the construction of our sub-projects, attend barangay assemblies, and participate in activities in which their voices can be heard”, DSWD Regional Director Janet P. Armas shared.
In the Kalahi-CIDSS Project, 52% of attendees to barangay assemblies and trained in the barangay level are women.
“Noong wala pang Kalahi-CIDSS, talagang mga kalalakihan lang ang nasa posisyon. Ngayon, makikita na yung balance Sa parehong gender. Hindi na isyu ngayon ang taas ng pinag-aralan. Ngayon, nakadepende na sa puso-hangaang saan ang kaya mong gawin para makapagsilbi ka sa kapwa mo, ano ang kaya mong ibigay para sa bayan mo”, shared Lilia Andaya , a community volunteer from Conner, Apayao.
The region has noted around 7,002 women volunteers mobilized for the Kalahi-CIDSS Project. While 2,056 women volunteers have taken leadership positions in various committees involved in the implementation of the said Project.
In the region, traditional practices have privileged men to take leadership positions. Decision-making have become exclusive to them especially in cultural areas.
“ Nabigyan kami ng boses… Nabigyan kami ng pagkakataong maging lider. Napatunayan kong hindi hadlang ang pagiging isang babae rito. Napatunayan kong kaya pala namin. Sa Kalahi-CIDSS, nabigyan kami ng halaga- hindi lang bilang isang ina, kundi bilang isang babae” Gloria Iglioman, another community volunteer from Conner, Apayao shared.
Meanwhile, 3,706 women have also been engaged in paid labor. These women have received equal wage as men who have engaged in the construction of sub-projects under the Kalahi-CIDSS Project.
“To some, receiving wages after a day’s work maybe usual. But for women who have opted to stay at home and take care of their families, being paid for their labor in our sub-project implementation is a different story. It brings them pride and confidence that they can also contribute in providing the needs of their families through their salary, more so, that they are able to take part in the development of their communities”, Dir. Armas added.
On the other hand, Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program is continuously providing opportunities for women under the said program. The said program has also conducted various capacity building trainings including the conduct of Family Development Sessions focusing on anti-violence against women and their children and human trafficking, Gender Sensitivity Training, and focused group discussion for GAD planning and budgeting.
As of December 2015, there are around 48,573 female grantees under the Pantawid Program and 59,671 female Pantawid children attending school.
For this year, National Women’s Month Celebration revolves around the theme “Kapakanan ni Juana, Isama sa Agenda”. March 8 is also considered as the International Women’s Day.
“Ang March 8 ay isang pagdiriwang sa tapang at determinasyon ng mga kababaihan. Hindi nagtatapos ang March 8 sa simpleng batian lamang ng Happy Women’s Day. Dapat ito ay pumukaw sa ating kaisipan at suriin kung ano nga ba ang kalagayan ng nakakaraming kababaihan. Ipinagmamalaki din ng selebrasyong ito ang pagsusumikap ng mga kababaihan na makamit ang pagkakapantay-pantay, katarungan at pantay na pagkilala tulad sa mga lalaki. Bilang babae, kailangan nating malaman ang ating mga karapatan“, Pantawid Parent Leader Jennifer Tangleb shared. # DSWD-CAR, Social Marketing Unit, Nerizza Faye G. Villanueva with Phylein Maria Rosette U. Callangan
