To support gender sensitivity and equality in the CALABARZON region, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST)-CALABARZON joined the regional celebration of Women’s Month at the Provincial Capitol, Sta.Cruz, Laguna on Friday, March 31, 2023.
“The field of science is a great example where we don’t see gender or sex as a factor that affects one’s career, especially today,” DOST-CALABARZON Assistant Regional Director (ARD) for Finance and Administrative Services Lyn Fernandez stated in her keynote message during the event.
The ARD said that one’s competence is what matters in the field of science, and fortunately she has never experienced any gender-based discrimination and adversities in her years of work at DOST. Nevertheless, DOST is one with fellow GAD advocates in recognizing the challenges of all women in general.
NEDA Region IV-A Asst. Dir. Carmel P. Mataban stated that they shall continue the fight for women.
She explained that the Regional Development Council (RDC) has identified women-related issues in the region such as the high prevalence of new HIV cases ranking second nationwide, next to the National Capital Region (NCR); increasing number of Adolescent (age ranging from 10-19) pregnancy; persisting cases of violence against women and children including distressed women overseas workers; as well as the continuing existence of pockets of poverty not only in the region but country-wide.
More so, the ARD said that the RDC has recently approved Regional Development Plan, which identified strategies to address these issues.
“Some of the strategies that we have included are research and development, education, education particularly for women, the health literacy, and strict implementation of laws protecting women,” she mentioned.
Laguna District 2 Representative Ruth Mariano-Hernandez, Dr. Patricia Sanchez of UP Los Banos, Ms. Leonie Reyes of Natures Dew Enterprise, and Dr. Eden C. Callo of Laguna State Polytechnic University (LSPU) shared their personal experiences in achieving Gender Equality and Inclusive Society in their respective fields.
In her closing message, Regional Gender and Development Council (RGADC) Co-Chairperson Josephine Parilla from the Pambansang Tagapag-ugnay ng mga Manggagawa sa Bahay-Workers in the Informal Sector Enterprise (PATAMABA-WISE), said the Council and its stakeholders will serve as the light, voice and advocate for the protection of women.
“Hindi man tayo mananalo sa lahat ng laban, dahil minsan o kadalasan ang mundo ay hindi pumapabor, but it does not matter because we fight them all!” she remarked.
The DOST-CALABARZON and all the members of the RDC CALABARZON are united to promote and advocate for women empowerment and inclusion in every sector not only in the region, but in the whole country.#
