MARCH 7, 2014

NR # 3398C

International Womens Day should be everyday: Villarica

Women play an indispensable role in advancing sustained and meaningful national development, Rep. Linabelle Ruth Villarica (4th District, Bulacan declared on the eve of the celebration of the !nternational Women"s Day on #arch $. %&ntil 'e are fully represented in all decision(ma)ing aspects of our national life and violence against 'omen is a thing of the past, let us )eep on pushing for that day 'hen !nternational Women"s Day is no longer necessary because celebrating 'omen"s achievements and tapping their potential is an everyday part of our national e*istence,+ Villarica said. Villarica, 'ho is chairperson of the ,ouse -ommittee on Women and .ender /0uality, reiterated her message, 'hich she earlier voiced during the regular first #onday flag raising ceremony attended by employees and officials of the ,ouse of Representatives. %Women deserve all the respect and e0ual opportunity as a human beings clothed 'ith dignity,+ she declared, insisting that change in human attitude 'ould ensure respect for human rights and ma)e violence against 'omen and children things of the past. 1his year"s !nternational Women"s Day celebration is about %inspiring change,+ as the country 2oins the 'orld 'aving the theme % Juana, Ang Tatag Mo Ay Tatag Natin sa Pagbangon at Pagsulong. %1his theme comes as a fitting spirit that moves every 3ilipino, our 'omen in particular, to 'or) as one people and rise above the devastations 'rought by both natural calamities and man(made tragedies,+ the lady(la'ma)er pointed out. 4he believes in the meaningful declaration of the &.5 Women Watch6 %1oday is the day 'hen 'omen are recogni7ed, for their achievements 'ithout regard to divisions, 'hether national, ethnic, linguistic, cultural, economic and political.+ 4he further echoed the &.5. Women Watch as saying6 %it is an occasion for loo)ing bac) on the past struggles and accomplishments, and more importantly, for loo)ing ahead to the untapped potential and opportunities that a'ait future generations of 'omen.+ Villarica recalled that it 'as on #arch $, some thirty(nine years ago 'hen the &nited 5ations first declared this special day as !nternational Women"s Day. !n the 8hilippines, #arch $ 'as first declared as Women"s Rights and !nternational 8eace Day through 8roclamation 5o. 994 in :;$$ and eventually, as 5ational Women"s

Day 'ith the enactment of Republic <ct =;4; in :;;>. Binuo naman ang Committee on Women noong 1990s sa 9 th Cong ess, at sa !alaunan ay naging Committee on Women an" #en"e $%uality sa 1& th Cong ess,+ a committee 'hich the good -ongress'oman no' chairs. Relative legislative actions promoting 'omen"s rights, Villarica cited the passage the #agna -arta of Women that 'ould give 'omen e0ual rights (gender e0uality and e0ual opportunities as productive citi7ens and competent leaders in the shaping of the nation"s future. Lamenting the deep 'ounds left by typhoon ?olanda, the la'ma)er noted that the devastations brought to light problems and vulnerabilities of 'omen, and even children, 'ho no' face ris)s of violence and harassment, traffic)ing, loss of families, destroyed houses and livelihood. %1ogether 'ith ,on. .ina De Venecia, 8resident of the <ssociation of Women Legislators 3oundation, !nc. (,on. Villarica is Vice 8resident for Lu7on , 'e visited 1acloban last December and 'e are no' coordinating 'ith the D4WD on our proposal to use the .ender and Development (.<D budget of the ,ouse of Representatives to establish livelihood pro2ects for the 'omen(survivors and their families,+ she said. Villarica has authored a resolution for the -ommittee she chairs to conduct an investigation, in aid of legislation, on the allocation, utili7ation, and outcome of the .ender and Development (.<D budget of local government units, e*ecutive departments, agencies, bureaus, offices, 4&-s, legislative and 2udicial branches. Li)e'ise, her committee is set to conduct an in0uiry, in aid of legislation, on the measures underta)en to protect 'omen and children affected by disasters, calamities and other crisis situations. /*uding elation, Villarica noted editors of Ne's'ee! as having reported that in 9>::, among :=@ countries, the 8hilippines is one of the %1op 9> Best 8laces to be a Woman.+ 1hen last year, the World /conomic 3orum said that the 8hilippines 'as ran)ed @th place out of :A= in its global .ender .ap Report and the best performer 'ithin the <sia(8acific Region. %!n the midst of conflicts and disasters, ! believe that 'omen have a significant role in preventing conflicts, in preparing for disasters, and recovery and rehabilitation efforts,+ Villarica declared. (A> dpt