In celebration of International Women’s Day, the City Government of Davao’s Integrated Gender and Development Division (IGDD) spearheaded the annual Women’s Day parade participated in by different women’s groups in the city.
Lorna Mandin, the head of the IGDD, said in an interview with the City Information Office on Friday that around 5000 women from different barangay women’s groups, National Government Agencies, the City Government of Davao, IP and Moro groups, and Non-Government Organizations participated in the morning walk on March 8.
She also said that the parade is a way of celebrating women, as well as showing support in the continuous fight for women’s rights and creating a discourse on the different forms of women’s struggles and lived experiences.
“Karon ang International Women’s Day, March 8, kani pag-hatag og pasigarbo sa mga babae sa iyahang mga inagihan. Atong kahinumduman nga gideclare ang March 8, nagsugod isip protesta sa nagkalain-laing nga dili maayo’ng kahimtang sa babae kani base sa atoang women development code nga ang siyudad magsaulog, iyahang i-celebrate ang gain sa mga kababaihan at the same time padayon nga hisgutan ang lain-lain nga porma, ug lain-lain nga kahimtang, sitwasyon sa mga kababainhan [Today is International Women’s Day; this celebration is intended to honor the experiences of women. We must remember that the declaration of March 8 as Women’s Day started as a protest against all forms of inequality, discrimination, and violence that women experienced. Based on our Women Development Code that mandated the city to celebrate Women’s Day, we also celebrate the wins of women, as well as creating a discourse on different forms of women’s struggles and lived experiences],” she told the City Information Office (CIO).
The parade started from Freedom Park in Roxas Avenue and culminated with a short program at Rizal Park.
The Women’s Day morning walk activity was also participated in by several men in support of the women in the community.
Mandin also urged Dabawenyos to not only celebrate women during Women’s Day, but also every day. She also urged the public to report gender-related issues and concerns to their agency and other proper authorities. CIO
