CLARKF REEPORT ZONE, Pampanga — A women’s organization bared recently its advocacy for gender equality, women empowerment and capacity building to encourage the participation of women in national development.
Women Involved in Nation-Building (WIN) President Victoria Aragon is a dynamic and self-sustaining non-government organization that is working towards capacity building by providing technical assistance to a network of women involved in nation-building, particularly women leaders in government.
“The women’s sector is well-represented in WIN since we have members from around the country that include women lawyers, budget workers, social workers, and government officials such as legislators, among others, that believe in the guiding principles of WIN that are women empowerment, culture and gender responsiveness, and central orientation towards responsive democracy,” Aragon said at a press conference at the Stotsenberg Hotel here on Monday.
Aragon and officials of WIN were in this freeport zone earlier this week for their three-day 23rd Annual Congress with the theme “Women’s Crucial Role in the Fight Against Climate Change” which received full support from the Pampanga provincial government headed by Governor Lilia “Nanay Baby” Pineda.
“Members of WIN in government and the private sector in various fields are working together to push forward the Gender and Development Law both locally and nationally. We are now working down to the barangay level since they are the front-liners in our advocacy to strengthen and empower women and leaders, both men and women, for effective participation in governance and nation-building,” Aragon pointed out.
Pangasinan Provincial Board Member and WIN Director Rosary Gracia Perez-Tababa siad they are conducting discussions in the local level to help the government and their advocacy by making women and the people, in general, to be aware of climate change and its effects.
Tababa said they conduct seminars and workshops and other activities to raise awareness among the people about climate change and encourage women, in particular, to join WIN’s advocacy of caring for the environment.
“At the same time, we also conduct consultations, seminars and workshops and training programs for livelihood projects in various barangays, towns and provinces around the country at least three times a year for capacity building and visit the sites to follow-up on the projects. Projects with best practices are cited by WIN with awards for gender responsive projects, gender mainstreaming, as well as a tribute to women in nation-building,” Tababa pointed out.
Aragon and WIN officials said they are working with congressional representatives, women senators, and gender-sensitive officials in lobbying for laws that seek to empower women, and institutionalize support services women.
At the same time, WIN officials awarded a grant to two women, Glenda Maon and Nemia Raguindin, for their pottery-making business in Barangay Paratong 3, Bangar, La Union. Their products, which they produce with their husbands, sell from P150 to P300.