Women's Month kicks off in Aklan
Kalibo -- The kick-off celebration of the Women's Month 2006 in Aklan was a success with the participation of 146 stakeholders and gender advocates in the province. A Provincial Orientation-Conference on RA 9262 (Anti-Violence Against Women and their Children Act of 2004) and the Millennium Development Goals Mainstreaming paved the way for a better understanding and protection of abused women and children. Spearheaded by the Liga ng mga Barangay sa Pilipinas (LnB) Aklan Chapter, President Ananias V. Solina, the Department of Interior and Local Government - Aklan and the Provincial Government of Aklan through the Aklan Gender and Development Commission (AGADC).
The activity is aimed to provide the Liga ng Barangay , DILG officials, PNP-Women's Desk Officers, Municipal Social Work Development Officers, the Aklan Gender and Development Commissioners , educators, and other advocates the knowledge and skills on the proper handling and prevention of Violence against Women and their Children (VAWC) cases in their respective communities.
DILG Regional Director Evelyn A. Trompeta of gave the message while Hon. Daisy S. Briones SP Aklan Chair on the Committee on Women, Children and Family presented the Legislative Agenda on AVAWC and the GAD programs of Aklan. The MDG Focal person of DILG-6 Ms. Cheryl Tacda gave the Millennium Development Goals. The very knowledgeable resource person Mr. Christopher Montaño of the Commission on Human Rights Reg. 6 explained RA 9262, its salient features and the role of the Liga ng mga Barangay/ Barangay Kagawads, PNP Women's Desk officers, MSWDO and the other stakeholders at the ground level. He also expounded on the Barangay Protection Order, Temporary and the Permanent Protection Orders.
The orientation provided a venue for the barangay officials and other stakeholders to declare their commitment to stamp out violence against women and children. Hon. Ananias V. Solina reiterated the urgency the educate the stakeholders and all in the community to eradicate abuse at all levels beginning with the households. Together with other GAD champions in the Sangguniang Panlalawigan like Hon Daisy S. Briones and PCL President Franklin Quimpo who were present during the forum, they raised the urgency to immediately open the Crisis Intervention Unit (CIU) of the Aklan Comprehensive Center for Women (ACCW) which had been closed for over a year now and set into full operation all the programs and projects intended for Gender and Development which are based at the ACCW.