San Jose, Antique - In connection with the upcoming women’s month celebration, the Provincial Planning and Development Office (PPDO) have prepared a program to recognize and acknowledge the role of women in society. As a little background, it was during the 1920’s when women were given the right to vote and participate in politics actively. From this right, other women movements sprung and created a gender equality movement.

In participation to the said event, the provincial government proposed some activities. The event is entitled Women’s Month Celebration 2010 with the theme Babae Tagumpay Ka ng Bayan. The parade is expected on March 8. It will be followed by an opening program with inspirational messages from prominent ladies such as Gov. Salvacion Perez and Senator Loren Legarda.

The program will be plugged on local radio and television a week before March 8. Several topics included for the discussion are Women in the Workplace, Issues Affecting Men and Women, Violence against Women and Children.

On March 19, there will be medical missions which intend to promote the health of local women. These will be conducted in Bongbongan I, Sibalom, and Carmelo I, Carmelo II, and Sitio Buga in San Remigio.  There also will be a mobile advocacy on proper hygiene to elementary and high school students and it will last for the whole month of March.

Moreover, included in the list of activities is a screening process for qualified recipients of pangkabuhayan packages. This livelihood program is granted to qualified recipients in the form of food and vegetable vending, manicure/pedicure, shoe shine and repair, dressmaking, sari- sari store and other small scale livelihood activities.

The affair will culminate on the 24^th at the CAP Building, San Jose and will be a venue for a forum for women employees. The discussion of Magna Carta of Women will be delivered by resource speaker Ms. Emmeline Versoza. The event will also give recognition to outstanding women in Antique such as the Recognition of Most Enterprising Women and the launching of the Recognition of Most Outstanding Nanay.