The College of Health Sciences and the Center for Gender and Development partnered in an extension program in Brgy. Villamar, Caoayan, Ilocos Sur on May 22, 2024.

CHS led the medical mission. On CGAD’s part, a seminar-workshop on women empowerment focused the discussion on women empowerment in relation to the program mandated by CHED through CHED Memorandum Order No. 1 of 2015.

While the medical mission was ongoing in the said barangay, a lecture was held. It aimed to elaborate the equal career opportunities for women and men; fair distribution of unpaid and paid work among women and men; and equality of women and men regarding political representation and participation.

Such core objectives are in consonance with the advocacy of the international community that reflects the contents found in the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women or CEDAW.

Likewise, such program is in response to the obligation to the society provided for under the RA No. 9710 or the Magna Carta of Women, which seeks to address issues concerning discrimination and inequality experienced by women in the country.

Dr. Mae Oliva Piano, the resource speaker, emphasized that women must have at least equal career opportunities with men because survival is both applicable to gender. The goal to address inequality is being realized by the initiative and programs that the CGAD champions in through integrating GAD not only in schools but in the communities, too.