In celebration of the 2022 National Women’s Month, Commission on Higher Education- Regional Office 1 (CHED- RO1) spearheaded the conduct of the Agenda ni Juana Hybrid Conference 2022 at the UNP-Auditorium, March 30.
United Nations Women Philippines, and the University of Northern Philippines Center for Gender and Development were co-hosts for the event.
Ms. Riza Torrano, WPS Programme Manager, UN Women Philippines, served as the Keynote Speaker.
With the theme, “Gender Equality Today for a Sustainable Tomorrow” for the International Women’s Day 2022 celebration, Ms. Torrano emphasized the roles of women in different lenses- from the society to politics.
“This dialogue space created by higher institutions like you, affirms your commitment to our agenda of promoting women empowerment and gender equality in the country,” she added.
Dr. Danilo B. Bose, OIC Director IV, CHED- RO1, also highlighted the objectives of the annual National Women’s Month Celebration (NWMC) which include informing and engaging women as pioneers and beneficiaries of government programs and services; and inspiring and empowering women and girls to be agents of change.
In his message, Dr. Erwin F. Cadorna, UNP President, stated that the conference serves as a reminder of their commitment to gender mainstreaming.
He added how for over the years, women were objectified, oppressed, and exploited. But history has proven that women are “capable of changing the course of their destiny and the traditional roles imposed on them by the society”.
Dr. Cadorna also underscored the importance of women in institutions. “As a family man and the head of this university, I realized that there is no limit to what they can achieve. They are smart, committed, and hardworking.”
Comm. Aldrin A. Darilag, Oversight Commissioner for Gender and Development (GAD); Ms. Sandra S. Montano, Chairperson, Philippine Commission on Women; and Atty. Harold D. Kub-aron, Regional Director, Commission on Human Rights Region 1, and Chairperson, Region 1 Gender and Development Committee (RGADC-1) also delivered their messages.
The learning sessions of the conference were divided into four (4) agenda: Agenda 1 is on Women, Peace and Security with Ms. Nery Ronatay, Program Analyst, UN Women Philippines, as the speaker; and Agenda 2 focused on Women, Education, and Research with the speaker, Prof. Erlinda C. Palaganas of the University of the Philippines- Baguio.
Moreover, Agenda 3 centered on Women and Health. The session was led by Dr. Annabelle R. Borromeo, Former Senior President for Operations, St. Luke’s Medical Center. Agenda 4 covered the topic, Women and Employment, with Atty. Evelyn R. Ramos, Regional Director, DOLE-1, as the speaker.
National Women’s Month is conducted annually by the public and private agencies to show their support to the government’s endeavors along gender and development.
