Mayor Sara Duterte speaks at the 16th General Assembly of the Philippine Federation of Local Councils of Women at the SMX Convention Center Davao on Wednesday. MindaNews photo by ANTONIO L. COLINA IV
DAVAO CITY (MindaNews/ 07 Oct.) – The local government will continue advocating for the rights and welfare of women and children through the implementation of the Women Development Code, City Mayor Sara Duterte told women leaders during the 16th General Assembly of the Philippine Federation of Local Councils of Women Inc. at the SMX Convention Center Davao on Wednesday.
The code mandated the local government to “uphold the rights of women and the belief in their worth and dignity as human beings.”
It provides that “women shall be recognized as full and equal partners of men in development and nation building and men shall share equal with all forms of productive and reproductive activities.”
Duterte said the local government will continue to provide livelihood assistance through the Mag Negosyo Ta ‘Day project, health care support and shelters for the abused, as well as establish more barangay women’s desks.
In her State of the City Address last Oct. 2, the mayor said that under the Mag Negosyo Ta ‘Day the city government granted a loan package of P1 million each to four cooperatives, while 1,161 disadvantaged women, including those apprehended due to illegal gambling, received capital seed fund worth P8.6 million.
“These initiatives were designed not to encourage superiority of women over others but to empower our Dabawenyas to develop independence and enhance their potentials,” she said.
She highlighted the Anti-Discrimination Ordinance of 2012, an ordinance “declaring unlawful acts and conduct of discrimination based on sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, descent, national or ethnic origin and religious affiliations or beliefs.”
“Believing in the principle of equality among sexes, our government promotes the protection of women’s rights, yet, we also make sure that the same respect is afforded to all the other genders – this is the guiding principle behind the Anti-Discrimination Ordinance of Davao City,” she said.
Duterte urged the women leaders to carry “the torch of service” to capacitate their fellow women and to use their voice and talents to lead and serve the Filipinos.
“With the growing challenges faced by the women of today, it is my hope that all local women leaders throughout the nation will carry the torch of service in capacitating women through social enterprise and other initiatives,” she said. (Antonio L. Colina IV/MindaNews)
