The National Women’s Month Celebration (NWMC) every March is part of the worldwide observance to honor and give importance to the women in our society. Here in the Philippines, the NWMC is celebrated by virtue of Presidential Proclamation No. 227 series of 1988. Thus, the whole month of March is dedicated to the achievements and hard work of the Filipino women. This month is also the time to raise awareness about domestic violence, sexism and other violence which affects the physical and mental health of women.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Region 6 has celebrated Women’s Month since the 90’s, usually with activities that highlights the achievement of women in the environment. This year the DENR 6 and its field offices had undergone series of activities in support to NWMC.

Kicking it off on March 1, the DENR 6 and its field offices had a simultaneous hanging of streamer, unveiling of their Gender And Development (GAD) Activities wall and One Billion Rising Dance.

GAD quiz, GAD talk show, Gender Sensitivity Training, GAD presentation contest and GAD culminating program are the activities handled by the Regional Office conducted in March.

“This is the venue for us women to prove ourselves that we are the partners of men on whatever development we have for this country and for the Department,” said Forester Edna B. Locsin, Gender and Development (GAD) Program Regional Focal Person and Chief, Planning and Management Division (PMD).

The Provincial ENR Offices (PENROs) and Community ENR Offices (CENROs) also conducted their selected NWMC activities for the month, to wit:

PENRO Aklan initiated activities during the celebration of International Day of Women on March 08, 2023 such as, pampering spree for women employees (foot spa and hair cut), distribution of seedlings, Handog Titulo, and giving of soup and collaterals with printed NWMC theme. 

PENRO Antique conducted a Multimedia Literacy Training via Zoom platform to equip the personnel and staff with the basic Powerpoint and Map Layouts skills. 

PENRO Capiz conducted the bagging/potting session at DENR Provincial Nursery every Friday of the month. 

PENRO Guimaras pampered its employees with TESDA manicurists and masseuses, and offer health services under the activity dubbed as Serbisyo para kay Juana. 

PENRO Iloilo through its CENRO Guimbal opens “Tindahan ni Juana,” where CENRO Guimbal personnel and the community display and sell their farm and local products. This is a way of showing gratitude to the women who exerted effort to raise their families with their livelihood. 

PENRO Negros Occidental conducted bagging activity wherein 2,500 seed bags were prepared by the PENRO and the Northern Negros Natural Park (NNNP) employees and on-the-job trainees. 

            “All those activities we have conducted benefit not just the women, but all members in the community. Our women are considered as primary caregivers of the children and elderly in our community, thus they play an important role in helping shape us and mold us to the kind of person we are right now,” Regional Executive Director Livino B. Duran said.

            “This month of March is dedicated to their hard work and importance. This is also to raise awareness and prevent violence against women and children and chaning the mindset through the gender equality advocacy,” he added.

            In this modern world, women are seen to engage in works and activities that in previous decades only men are allowed. A modern woman is someone who accepts challenges, manage a community or even a country and stand up in front of a man rather than following them. /DENR 6