Manila to celebrate National Women’s Month
THE city government of Manila will celebrate the National Women’s Month by paying tribute and honoring the contributions being given by women to the society this coming March.
This was announced by Mayor Maria Sheila “Honey” Lacuna-Pangan during the regular flag raising ceremony yesterday held at the Kartilya ng Katipunan and attended by officers and employees of the city government, as well as special guests.
Mayor Lacuna-Pangan said women deserved to be honored because without them, humanity won’t exist, since their greatest achievement is to give birth to a baby.
“Kaya nga nandidito tayong lahat. Ang tanong ko ho, kung may National Women’s Month, mayroon bang National Men’s Month? Kasi, kapag sinabi mong gender equality, hindi lang yan nakatuon sa mga kababaihan, bagkus, dapat sa lahat ng kasarian,” Mayor Honey Launa-Pangan stated.
“Ibig lang po niyang sabihin, dito po sa lungsod ng Maynila gaya ng laging sinasabi ng atin pong dating alkalde Mayor Isko Moreno Domagoso, ang lahat po ay pantay-pantay, walang babae, walang lalaki, walang bakla walang tomboy,” the mayor added.
Earlier, Manila Department of Social Welfare (MDSW) Director Maria Asuncion, “Re” Fugoso, who was assigned to be the host of the regular flag raising ceremony, said the celebration of National Women’s Month in Manila will be a historic one since this is the first time that the city will be led by a woman.
Among the activities during the celebration includes “sayaw” or dance against Violence Against Women (VAW) which will be held on March 8, conduct a conference every Monday of March which is relevant to Violence Against Women and Children to be led by Manila Barangay Bureau, free medical check-up for women such as pap smear, breast examination and natal check-up for teen mothers every Wednesday of March, courtesy of the Manila Health Department (MHD).
Meanwhile, the City Legal Office will offer free legal assistance to all cases pertaining to violence against women and children while priority lanes for women employees who will apply or renew their passports will be put up every Saturday of March, in cooperation with the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and SM Manila.
