ISRD, GAD, CSS, UOG Celebrate Women’s Month Through International Webinar

     The Benguet State University through the Institute of Social Research and Development (ISRD), College of Social Sciences (CSS), Gender and Development (GAD) Office, and University of Guam (UOG) conducted an international webinar in celebration of the Women’s Month. The webinar titled Making Policies for Women: Stories of Women Survivors was held on March 29, 2022, at the Carnation Hall, Research and Extension building.

     In 2017, the PCW Board Members and Inter-Agency Technical Working Group identified the National Women’s Month Celebration theme “We Make Change Work for Women” which shall be used from 2017 to 2022. It highlights women’s empowerment as active contributors to and claim holders of development which is anchored on the commitment of “Malasakit at Pagbabago” or True Compassion and Real Change. The Women’s Month Celebration has since served as a venue to highlight women’s achievements and discuss continuing and emerging women’s empowerment and gender equality issues and concerns, challenges, and commitments. Thus, the webinar aimed to raise awareness of all forms of violence against women and to empower women who are victims of violence.

     During the webinar, six resource speakers were able to share information, experiences and policies to help and empower women. For the morning session, Dr. Lisalinda Natividad presented her topic focusing on Family Violence, Historical Trauma, and the CHamoru Maggafa (Family). She was followed by Ms. Jandi Craig who’s topic is on Domestic Violence and Missing/Murdered Indigenous Women in Mountain Apache.  Ms. Janelyne E. Tuyan also shared her topic on Survivor’s Storyline: Personal Protective Factors.

    The afternoon session progressed with Ms. Carolyn B. Gano’s talk about Picking up the Broken Pieces: Stories of Women Survivors of Abuse. Personnel from the Women’s and Children’s Desk of the La Trinidad Municipal Police Station, PCPL Meredith P. Wakin, and PCPL Charmaine Kaye E. Manuel, discussed the topic of Cases of Violence Against Women in La Trinidad Benguet as well as elaborated on the Safe Spaces Act (Bawal Bastos Law) and the role of the Women’s Desk.

     Present during the webinar were BSU President Felipe Salaing Comila, CSS Dean Dr. Stanley F. Anongos, Jr., and GAD Director Dr. Estrelita M. Daclan who gave their messages and expressed support for the activity. ISRD Director Dr. Gigy G. Banes presented the rationale and overview of the webinar while CorCAARRD Director Dr. Ruth S. Batani gave the closing remarks. Mr. Kent W. Depayso and Ms. Angeline R. Lapus were the moderators during the webinar program. 

     The webinar participants are from various local and international agencies, institutions, colleges, and offices. //AKCariño