“Kung alam mong nasa tama ka, sino man ang humarang o lumaban sa’yo ay hindi dapat katakutan. Huwag urungan kung tama ang iyong ipinaglalaban.” This was the pressing statement of former Department of Justice Secretary, Leila de Lima as she graced the culminating program of the Women’s month celebration before a multitude of students in a call to action for accelerating gender parity and empowerment hosted by PSU last March 15.
Contrary to her stern image in the television, De Lima was all smiles as she laid her platform in fight against human trafficking, violence against women and sexual harassment among others. Nevertheless, she also recognized the empowered Filipino women who have been successful in the world of politics, business, technology and entertainment.
Furthermore, De Lima asserted that Filipino women are successful in the hope for gender equality after stating the statistics that Philippines ranked no.7 in the world as the most gender equal nation according to the world economic forum making it the only nation in Asia Pacific to be in the top 10 as of 2014.
The Gender and Development Office (GAD) led by Dr. Merlita Q. Santos spearheaded the University’s 3–day celebration in commemoration to Women’s month with series of activities such as the University-wide Literary and Musical competition participated by students and a Capability-building seminar for Civil Service officials and barangay officials of Binmaley. The said seminar aimed to revisit the Civil Service rules of conduct and ethical standard for public officials and employees along with the discussion of the RA 9710 otherwise known as the Magna Carta for Women to give emphasis on the call to include women’s concerns in leadership platforms and the government’s development agenda held at the Pangasinan Training and Development Center.
This year’s banner, “Kapakanan ni Juana, isama sa agenda” resonates the call for gender-balance in leadership and decision making positions both in public and private sector also in capacitating and preparing women and girls to reach their ambitions.
In addition, the awarding to the winners of the university-wide literary and musical competition transpired in the afternoon as Certificates of Recognition and cash prizes were given.