Gov. Bong Lacson led the Abanse Negrense Women Empowerment and Gender Equality (WEGE) Awarding Ceremony held at Nature’s Village Resort in Talisay City, this morning, recognizing outstanding Negrense advocates for women empowerment and gender equality.
The GAD Awards and Incentives projects of the Office of the Governor were conceptualized in 2020, during the 25th anniversary of the 1995 Beijing Platform for Action. The search was launched in 2021, to localize the implementation of some of the provisions of the Magna Carta of Women, and highlighted the BPfA, “a landmark document for advancing the rights of women and gender equality worldwide, agreed upon during the 4th World Conference on Women”.
The BPfA is the “comprehensive blueprint of commitments supporting the full development of women and their equality with men in 12 areas of concern, namely women and poverty, education and training of women, women, and health, violence against women, women and armed conflict, women and the economy, women in power and decision-making, institutional mechanisms, human rights of women, women and media, women and the environment, and the girl child”.
The awardees are Dr. Pilipinas Ma. Jareño, Dr. Juliet Jeruta, Ma. Ester Espina, Dionela Flores – Madrona, Dr.Richelle Verdeprado – Mangga, Prof. May Olorga, Dr. Ma. Cristina Basa – Orbecido, Rosalinda Tvilla, Ma. Naty Bayona, Ma. Victoria Geolingo – Cañete, Councilor Celia Flor, Atty. Rowena Guanzon, Jenie Macalipsay, Wenonah Martyr, Atty. Annabelle Respall, Dr. Elvie Samson, Atty. Andrea Lizares – Si, and Atty. Jocelle Batapa – Sigue.
Other awardees include the Negros Occ. Girl Scout Council, Rural Improvement Club of Negros Occidental, Dawn Foundation, Inc. Negros Occ. Federation of Women’s Clubs, Negros Women for Tomorrow Foundation, Inc., and Provincial Council for Women.
Gov. Lacson said the WEGE Award is proof of the province’s progress and the challenges confronted in pursuing a just and inclusive society.
“To our awardees, your dedication has ensured that the principles of the BPFA and the Magna Carta of Women are not just policy statements but actualized realities in our province,” he said.
“Whether in governance, education, health, economic empowerment, media, environmental protection, or advocacy against gender-based violence, our awardees stand as pillars of positive change,” he added.
Also present at the activity were Board Member Rita Gatuslao, chairman of the SP Committee on Women and Family, and Provincial Gender and Development (GAD) Focal Point System Action Officer Marie June Castro, among others.*
