Field Office XII

KALIPI HOLDS CONFERENCE TO BOOST WOMEN’S RIGHTS

Regional Director Sarah Taha addresses to KALIPI officers of their various roles as women in the society.

Gensan City- To advance the advocacy of women’s rights, Kalipunan ng Liping Pilipina(KALIPI) officers all throughout Region XII gathered to discuss the Magna Carta for Women (MCW) with Attorney Rizalyn Isnani-Concha of Commission on Human Rights (CHR). To beat the summer heat, the two day conference from March 24-25, 2010 was held at Water Gran Beach Resort, Gensan City participated by all provincial and city chapters of KALIPI in Region 12 together with their Social Welfare and Development Officers. The gathering is one of the highlights in celebrating women’s month focusing on the respect, promotion and protection of the rights that should be afforded to all women.

Atty. Concha pointed that in MCW the rights of women to participation and representation are given much emphasis. According to her, the MCW provides that women should be well represented in the peace and development discussions. For the next five years after the approval of the MCW, at least 40% of the membership of the development councils from regional down to the barangay level should be women. Not only that, in the next five years 50 % of the AFP and PNP membership should be women in the same manner with the Civil Service third level position.

Caption:Atty Rizalyn Concha explains the Magna Carta for Women

According to Atty. Concha, a female student who gets pregnant cannot be suspended or expelled from school just because she conceives a child. The same is true with a female teacher who gets pregnant without a husband. It is outlawed under the MCW to dismiss a female teacher or employee and even to expel female students due to pregnancy. It is her reproductive right, be it in the positive or negative side. It is the empowerment to women that is given much importance under this law.

DSWD FO12 Regional Director Bai Zorahayda T. Taha in her message to the participants, reminded them that advancing the women’s rights is coupled with the responsibility in performing the roles as career woman, wife to a husband and mother to the children. “That in our multiple roles as a woman, we should manage our time and remain as sexy as we are and as beautiful as we are,” she told them. In her parting words she said, “it is not only the love and care that you should have to your husband, but also trust and respect.”

The conference was well participated with 120 KALIPI chapter officers in attendance representing provinces of North Cotabato, South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat and Sarangani; and cities of Koronadal, Tacurong, General Santos, Kidapawan and Cotabato. The KALIPI in Region 12 was organized way back in 1997 to arm women with knowledge and information to strengthen the campaign to eradicate discrimination against women. As to date, there are 24,370 active KALIPI members in region 12. 487 KALIPI members availed already of Self Employment Assistance- Kaunlaran (SEA- K) program of DSWD. Various KALIPI chapters are given livelihood projects by their Local Government Unit. KALIPI across the region conducts continuous advocacy on Violence Against Women and Children, Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act and Magna Carta for women. (RSbaldelovar 032610)