The indispensable role of women in society was the center of DILG Caraga’s welcome of the 2022 National Women’s Month Celebration (NWMC) on March 1; a celebration that, according to the Philippine Commission on Women, endeavors to highlight the gains achieved for women and girls, assess actions towards gender equality, and look forward to steps that must be taken to ensure progress in empowering women.

Convened in the well-decorated Local Governance Regional Resource Center, the men and women of DILG Caraga honored the brave Juanas through I-rampa ang Agenda, a modelling search with advocacy where 15 lovely models from the Regional Office dressed up according to the 15 different agenda or sectors based on the Gender Equality and Women Empowerment (GEWE) Plan 2019-2025, and Juana’s Bazaar, a space for DILG entrepreneurs and artists to display their products for sale.

The office also launched its Health and Wellness Program where personnel participate in sports and Zumba activities every week to promote holistic wellbeing and work-life balance.

“Various activities have been prepared for the whole month to commemorate this momentous cause. We do this to honor the hard work of both men and women who make sure that we are a society that is safe and fair for all genders,” RD Famacion underscored in her message.

The Gender and Development Focal Point System (GFPS) of the DILG Caraga has organized diverse activities not just for its personnel, but for its clients as well such as Women’s Forum: Jumpstarting Business in the New Normal on March 10, a webinar on GAD Planning and Budgeting, and DILG’s GAD Talent, a variety show showcasing the talents of the men and women of DILG Caraga on March 31. ### (By LGOO II Estela Marie M. Vallespin)