DSWD-7 Kicks-Off 2017 National Women’s Month Celebration

The Department of Social Welfare and Development Field Office VII (DSWD-7) kicks-off the 2017 National Women’s Month celebration today, February 27, during its Monday convocation.

“As we anticipate the Women’s Month in March, we officially launch today the month-long celebration through the One Billion Rising dance,” said Social Welfare Officer IV and focal person on women, Rosemarie Salazar.

DSWD-7 staff perform the One Billion Rising dance wearing purple shirt.

One Billion Rising is a global movement founded by Eve Ensler, to end rape and sexual and physical violence against women.

The “billion” refers to the UN statistic that one in three women will be raped or beaten in her lifetime, or about one billion.

Salazar mentioned that this year’s celebration carries the theme “WE Make Change Work for Women”, emphasizes that women should be active drivers in bringing about positive changes, and that they should reap from development efforts.

To recall, in his first State of the Nation Address (SONA), President Rodrigo Roa Duterte directed all agencies, oversight bodies and local government units down to the barangay level to fully implement the Magna Carta of Women.

Thus, the first National Women’s Month celebration under the new leadership will focus on two key foundation: partnership for change and full implementation of the Magna Carta of Women (Republic Act 9710).