In celebration of National Women’s Month (NWM), National Irrigation Administration (NIA) Region 7 conducts an Orientation Seminar on RA 9262 (Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act of 2004 or VAWC) and RA 7877 (Anti-Sexual Harassment Act of 1995) on March 29, 2022, at NIA-7 Covered Court, Tagbilaran City, Bohol.
Atty. Delañarose A. del Rosario, a lawyer, and a professor at the University of Bohol was invited to speak in this one-day NWM Culmination to educate the employees of NIA R7 on the existing laws protecting them from abuse or harassment, encouraging all men and women to stand up for themselves and for others.
In her presentation, Atty. del Rosario quoted: “Whether it’s against you or someone you love, or someone you believe in, stand up. Don’t sit down. Don’t sit down on them”.
Atty. del Rosario explained what qualifies as sexual harassment. Also discussed was RA 11313 or the Public Spaces Act of 2019-- a related law that tackles sections on gender-based sexual harassment in the workplace, streets, vehicles, public spaces, or even online.
NIA Region 7 Acting Regional Manager Engr. Reyne B. Ugay was fully supportive of the event for he also recognizes that inclusive and sustainable development is only possible when gender equality becomes attainable.
During the whole duration of the program, NIA 7 streamed Philippine Commission for Women (PCW) advocacy songs on women’s empowerment, integrated with information on gains and challenges relative to gender equality.
Participants from NIA 7 Regional Office and Bohol-Siquijor Irrigation Management Office also grooved to the One Billion Rising dance- to express their solidarity and determination to defeat the gender-based injustices in society.
An All-Women Cast Lupang Hinirang Video was also used in the opening of this NWM Celebration. All women were given a memorabilia purple shirt. A Zumba session was also enjoyed by both the men and women of the agency.
The meaningful event concluded with an open forum where the speaker answered questions raised by the participants.