BY: RIZALIE A. CALIBO
SIQUIJOR, March 20 (PIA)—Women leaders here continue to stir women in Siquijor as they laud their vital role in society during the province’s celebration of the International Women’s Month recently.
Civil Service Commission regional director Elizabeth Mateo says women lead and excel in this modern world, exercising a vital role primarily in the family, then to the community and to the country as a whole.
Reports reveal that repair in electronics, such as cellphone, electronically controlled domestic appliances, audio-visual equipment is among the most common job available mostly to women.
A cursory look at the TESDA’s brochure on training for women reveals a full enrollment in electronics-related skills trainings, including automobile repair and plumbing.
Initial data from TESDA shows that out of the 24 women graduates on automotive servicing last year, 21 were certified, and 11 were actually employed.
Under pharmacy services, 21 women were employed out of the 51 enrolled students. Housekeeping, however, remains a woman’s work: 76 were employed from 128 enrolled.
In the latest Gender Gap Report of the World Economic Forum published in 2013, the country rose by three notches to fifth in the global ranking due to some improvements in economic participation and opportunity.
According to the report, the Philippines topped all lower-middle income countries as well as the Asia-Pacific region, adding that the country “is the only country in Asia and the Pacific that has fully closed the gender gap in both education and health.”
According to the (PIDS), critical issues remain, such as maternal health, which is part of the country’s commitment to meet the Millennium Development Goals. “PIDS research has found evidence of inequality in maternal and child health services utilization across economic classes and across regions, which requires government intervention,” the local think thank recently reported.
But Mateo still considers women as bearers of miracles acknowledging that giving birth can only be done by women.
She mentioned some pertinent provisions and salient features of the law that strongly protects women and their children as stated in Republic Act 9262 otherwise known as the Violence Against Women and Children.
With this, she urged Siquijor women to unite and support each other by means of protecting one’s rights.
In another women’s month celebration, Siquijor Mayor Mei Ling Quezon, the lone female mayor of the province said women have great roles in uplifting our country. They possess the abilities and character to endure sacrifices in life, she said.
The women celebration in the province was graced with activities depicting the talents of women in a cultural competition and trade fair expo where finished products from different associations in the island were displayed. (mbcn/RAC/PIA-Siquijor w/ reports from IAAbatayo)