The 2023 International Women’s Day celebration ushered in the “We for Gender Equality and Inclusive Society” theme, which will run from this year until 2028, marking a turning point in the growth of women’s rights.

In the Philippines, the celebration is more than just a single day; it is an extended celebration that lasts for an entire month in order to draw attention to and emphasize the issues that women face, as well as to celebrate their social, political, cultural, and economic advancement.

None other than Governor Corazon N. Malanyaon, the woman who holds the helm of power in the province, officially launched the 2023 National Women’s Celebration in Davao Oriental on March 8. Along with other empowered, forward-thinking female community leaders, Governor Malanyaon underlined the significant roles that women play in society outside of being mothers and family-makers.

As a female leader, Governor Malanyaon emphasized the need for other women to stand out for their rights and to support one another. She also asked men to help the cause in advocating gender equality and inclusive society, speak out for it, and treat women with the respect and love they truly deserve.

“I am for the empowerment of women, for gender equality. As women, we need to be supporting each other and be strong advocates of women’s rights,” Malanyaon stated.

The same message was echoed to the women and men in attendance by Charito Uy, President of Federation Officer of the Provincial Council of Women, who called on them to remain steadfast in their efforts to establish a society that is more inclusive of women and more gender-equal. She noted that respect for one another and cooperation should come first in order to reach this goal.

The women attending the event received complimentary massages, haircuts, manicures, and pedicures as part of the celebration. To keep everyone entertained, games and other exciting activities were also arranged.

The Federation Officer of the Provincial Council from various municipalities organized a tree-planting activity at Guang-Guang Mangrove Park in the morning prior to the main launching program. Days before the event, subsidies were also given to barangay women presidents as part of the support extended by the provincial government to women’s organizations.

Municipal celebrations will also be held on different occasions as part of the month-long Women’s Celebration in Davao Oriental to encourage more participation by women from the province’s barangays and sitios. ʙʏ ꜰʀᴀɴᴄɪꜱ ᴊᴀʏ ʙᴜᴛᴜʟᴀɴ | ᴘʜᴏᴛᴏꜱ ʙʏ ᴍᴀʀᴋ ᴏʟɪᴠᴇʀ ᴀʟᴠɪᴛᴇ